[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5980616,"mediaKeyId","5766736-daab3f0bd7e00a72126aaf48ed75b257","parentId",5766736,"title","Escambia board moves to streamline book-challenge policy; teachers and community give mixed reaction","audioSeconds",2326,"startMs",2932000,"endMs",5258000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766736-daab3f0bd7e00a72126aaf48ed75b257&start=2932&end=5258","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766736-daab3f0bd7e00a72126aaf48ed75b257/thumbnail_2932000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980616/Florida/Escambia-board-moves-to-streamline-book-challenge-policy-teachers-and-community-give-mixed-reaction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980616-90e84bc39f3b84a9b2594f53b4292f5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770520429&Signature=Ht4ILhtAv9rysfv7W6vkaow1Qpqld7anEC8Au1nPJ~yRDQzWbsT~6kfJ8yyWvH2Tf143E3XjL~CdpPT0u7vPmhFISafRmVyzioUTl6Ef80C8JiJFvESXhyVeRy0JO0YVqD0fhcLdYZW2rTm31wnhe8kpgeEzifGMDMaAF8Qjcg3fFyLrk0LT5cwfP9ltnwvLRdCHJXnEw8O77awkpjmhFIW7C5xavRcseeHw9vxh3hbkAIn82bWtVysvtSIGk1zMeck2KLMYoZLKVtQdokmUVZP6fp5WWdqQ4Lvhe7hM2hrPP4aAP-GKuwn30IabNtr6OU0yefb9ZYx72TXivbBtjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Escambia School District","date","2025-09-17T12:44:11Z","article","The Escambia County School Board on Sept. 16 voted to advertise revisions to its policy on challenges to instructional, library and reading-list materials, including a draft that removes citizen review committees and shifts review authority toward district staff and the superintendent. The motion to advertise the proposed policy passed 5'to'0.

Board supporters said the change will speed decision-making, improve accountability and ensure compliance with state guidance. \"They have not served us well. They're cumbersome, costly and they've been ineffective,\" said a community speaker who urged the board to streamline the process. Board members advocating the change cited recent legal guidance and the need for a faster process to remove materials that meet statutory criteria for restriction in elementary and middle school settings.

Several teachers, librarians and community members urged caution. Escambia High School teacher Leanne Eubanks described operational effects she said were already occurring: she told the board she removed 793 classroom titles (of 895) from classroom access while awaiting district approval for a backlog of more than 50,000 titles, and said students and extracurricular programs had been harmed. \"Without a classroom library, this is not happening,\" Eubanks said, describing lost instructional opportunities and cancelled extracurricular projects.

Members of the public offered polarized views during the agenda public forum. Speakers favoring stronger removal powers said citizen committees routinely failed to remove titles they considered inappropriate. Other speakers, including a representative who read a letter from the National Coalition Against Censorship, warned that centralizing review in administration risks viewpoint-based removals and urged retention of diverse review committees to protect First Amendment interests. A parent and former media committee member urged disbanding the standing book-review committees as dysfunctional; a long-time volunteer and parent urged the opposite, reading the coalition's recommendation that committees ensure diverse community representation and protect against unconstitutional viewpoint-based removals.

The board's vote at the meeting was to advertise the proposed revision for public comment (first reading); it does not immediately remove or restore individual titles. Board members and staff noted related, distinct operational actions: district staff will continue processing purchases and media requests, and the superintendent said some acquisitions already identified as instructional needs would proceed under existing media workflows.

Actions taken at the meeting included: advertisement for first reading of Policy 25-20 (selection and adoption of instructional materials) and Policy 25-22 (challenges to instructional, library and reading list materials). The recorded vote on advertising the policy draft that eliminates citizen committees was 5'to'0. Public commenters asked the board to reconsider, litigate, or refine the draft before final adoption and warned about unintended effects on classroom libraries and teacher autonomy.

Board members asked district leaders to continue outreach to media specialists and principals and to clarify how classroom libraries and pending-title backlogs will be processed during any policy transition.

The item will return for final adoption only after the required advertisement and public-comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special & Regular School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Escambia County School Board voted Sept. 16 to advertise a proposed revision to its book-challenge policy that would eliminate citizen review committees and increase superintendent-level review authority.","taxTitle","Escambia, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15600,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980619,"Escambia County School Board approves 2025–26 budget and 5.359 total millage after 3–2 votes",635,1019000,1654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766736-daab3f0bd7e00a72126aaf48ed75b257&start=1019&end=1654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766736-daab3f0bd7e00a72126aaf48ed75b257/thumbnail_1019000.jpg","/articles/5980619/Florida/Escambia-County-School-Board-approves-202526-budget-and-5359-total-millage-after-32-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980619-3197efe29b5f52dd963a1e00b7546529/orig.mp4?Expires=1770520429&Signature=gY~93e~nspIaua94ZOYPiYKlNbTuP2Ps2-XdGl5c-Xec~-y6lAM1r9TKPUanL9IjodU7sKQR51GP7HGGlftjg-DIpWe8f5v7RkLUx-pNSPmfouS1Hq~oQ8bXUFUr9vTNDZ~BWphDQgPaa7k-ANqmP33S-FshmDKV46gQVdiZ28XXpBIm6rVSvi3s~DPcVjyHR9FPnFg61DbnRQeD1pDcrfcqozw9hjXPa9bhVDemwV7fu2SdHrFETsoStZQnodC~EKRbQZ5v3BeDK9rtISwahNMjeka4CA-KCFr4SwFSc5kIsulRPG-etKKsxx77gba8~a2TbNhK9fFRIEGcJFw~Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escambia County School Board on Sept. 16 approved the district'wide final budget for fiscal year 2025'6 and a 5.359 total millage rate after a series of roll-call votes that produced several 3'to'2 outcomes. The board approved the general fund, capital projects, and a local capital improvement millage increase tied to a 1.5 mills capital outlay rate intended to generate an estimated $52 million for the district.

Board supporters said the adopted tax and budget package was a budgeting necessity to preserve the district's fund balance and avoid short-term borrowing that could force deeper cuts later. Board opponents said the timing placed an undue burden on taxpayers already facing high inflation and questioned the size of the increase.

Board member Williams said he had collected constituent feedback and would oppose increasing millage for his district, saying, \"Tonight, I will be voting against the increase in millage rates for that reason. I represent the people of District 5.\" Board member Fesco defended the capital outlay increase, saying the district might otherwise deplete reserves: \"I am voting for this local capital improvement to go from 1.004 to the 1.5. I am voting for it because if I don't, there's $52,000,000 that we're gonna depend on to be able to operate and to be able to stay and have that fund balance there so we don't go in the red.\"

Board members discussed several statewide funding mechanics during the meeting, including the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), state-passed voucher dollars that are routed through school budgets, and the district's declining student enrollment. One board member said the district currently has about 5,000 fewer students than in earlier years but still faces fixed costs for facilities, transportation and utilities that do not fall proportionally with enrollment declines.

The board took the following recorded votes during the special meeting:
- Prior period funding adjustment (0.007): approved 5'to'0.
- Discretionary operating millage (0.748): approved 5'to'0.
- Capital outlay (local capital improvement) at 1.5 mills: approved 3'to'2. Two members recorded no votes on the capital item citing opposition to raising property taxes.
- Total millage (5.359): approved 3'to'2.
- General fund budget $400,486,660.51: approved 3'to'2.
- Capital projects fund $223,823,462 (capital projects fund adoption): approved 3'to'2.
- Total district budget $857,164,775.73: approved 3'to'2.
- Final resolutions adopting revenue, millage and the final budget (Res. 2026-03 and Res. 2026-04): each passed 3'to'2.

Board members who voted in favor noted rising costs for transportation (the board cited recent 10-year price increases for 77-passenger buses), retirement and insurance obligations, and the practical need for a fund balance to cover payroll and start-of-year cash needs before state disbursements. Opponents emphasized constituent opposition in certain districts and said they would not support property-tax increases; one said the board should pursue a referendum requirement to exceed rollback rates.

The district also approved special-revenue budgets (food services, federal programs, CRRSA relief) and other funds with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several board members said they would continue to press for state-level changes to address voucher funding and related reporting so local budgeting more accurately reflects funds available to district-operated schools.

The board's actions are final for this fiscal year and will be forwarded to the county property appraiser and the Department of Revenue as required for collection and implementation.

Notes: The board's votes repeatedly split 3'to'2 on measures tied to local capital millage; some operating and special-revenue funds passed unanimously. The board's discussion repeatedly referenced FEFP mechanics and voucher pass-throughs as drivers of budgetary pressure.","The Escambia County School Board on Sept. 16 approved the district'wide final budget for fiscal year 2025'6 and a total millage of 5.359 after a series of votes that split the board 3'to'2 on key items.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5980612,"Escambia School Board proclaims October observances: National Bullying Prevention Month, Red Ribbon Week and Disability History weeks",615,4563000,5178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766736-daab3f0bd7e00a72126aaf48ed75b257&start=4563&end=5178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766736-daab3f0bd7e00a72126aaf48ed75b257/thumbnail_4563000.jpg","/articles/5980612/Florida/Escambia-School-Board-proclaims-October-observances-National-Bullying-Prevention-Month-Red-Ribbon-Week-and-Disability-History-weeks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980612-f6187f054fddc353ba1096f251f2fc6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770520429&Signature=KR2YbIQb9A86M~5s-OzNmKo2HTe5rjcEd-kyMFusg7IwTmvu~ki5s9Gqzn0RAIQhex92G1wXGXn5UVFHDj379Dv1nle3B9~lMDtSk1OT3HroS6uNF-w1F4tJkJrLttw~Yc6vdeJhu88DDzhjmUnTn~43hidEOE2EULnD-TzQ7XxIf0BmIiY32rsy1jvrVEb2s-AXazxwrpY2E5VhgdwV0mTrp8hV18jo6rMq0R~lzPT-3ggLlXls37ZPQtckJF2ErhZwW2P5Ot0vTIjMBYiE-kqtq-Ega486m3MfCA3OEFHNYQ-vV04K-DXXNLG29BbbS2Y4-ThXGfnnuYJeMr60fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escambia County School Board unanimously adopted proclamations on Sept. 16 recognizing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, the week of October as Red Ribbon Week and the first two weeks of October as Disability History and Awareness weeks.

The board's resolutions call for the district to continue bullying-prevention programming, to support Red Ribbon activities that promote drug-free lifestyles and to encourage disability-history instruction and awareness events in schools. The proclamations name district directors and staff to receive copies: Connie Farish and Sabrina Cunningham (elementary schools), Dr. Michael Roberts (middle schools), Lisa Morgan (high schools), Carrie Coutts (alternative education), Sandra Hill (exceptional student education), and others noted in the proclamations.

Board speakers and community partners said the proclamations align with existing district work to provide resources and community partnerships supporting student safety, prevention education and inclusive practices.

The proclamations will be placed in the meeting minutes and shared with the named directors and community partners for follow-up implementation and public information.","At its Sept. 16 meeting the Escambia County School Board adopted proclamations recognizing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, Red Ribbon Week and two weeks in October as Disability History and Awareness weeks and designated district contacts to receive copies of the proclamations.","actionData","errors"]

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Escambia board moves to streamline book-challenge policy; teachers and community give mixed reaction

Escambia County School Board approves 2025–26 budget and 5.359 total millage after 3–2 votes

Escambia School Board proclaims October observances: National Bullying Prevention Month, Red Ribbon Week and Disability History weeks