Two members of the public told the Talawanda City School District board on Thursday they want the district to review and restrict elementary‑level access to a graphic novel, Drama, which they said is available in at least one elementary classroom.

What parents said
- Katie Benge, a parent from Hanover Township, said her 8‑year‑old daughter encountered “explicit content” and that the book, which Benge described as having LGBTQ themes, is listed by national groups as frequently challenged. Benge asked the district to relocate material addressing “adolescent romantic relationships, dating, complex sexual identity themes” to middle‑school collections and to require parental notification or permission for elementary access.
- Ashley Ledington, an Oxford parent, said PFLAG donated a rainbow reading list and that copies of Drama are present in K–5 classrooms at multiple Talawanda schools. Ledington read short passages from the book during public comment and said the content — including two male characters kissing — conflicts with her religious values and parental expectations.

Board response and next steps
- The board did not take a policy vote or announce an immediate change during the meeting. The public‑comment period was limited to three minutes per speaker; trustees listened and asked clarifying questions but did not commit to action on the spot.

What the record shows
- Ledington said the copy she referenced was in a classroom at Marshall Elementary. Benge urged the board to review classroom and library collections districtwide and to consider relocating materials judged by parents to be inappropriate for elementary students.

Context
- The speakers cited state and federal actions in their remarks; for example, Benge referenced “Ohio House Bill 8” and an executive order number during her comments. Those references were made by the speakers; the board did not cite or rely on specific legal findings at the meeting.

Ending
- Trustees did not vote on a book‑review policy at the meeting. Board members and staff indicated they listen to parent concerns and will consider them along with existing district collection and instructional materials procedures; any formal policy change would require a future agenda item and board vote.