CCISD adopts first-and-only reading of library materials policy to meet SB 13 requirements

Clear Creek Independent School District trustees approved a first-and-only reading of EFB local, updating library and instructional resource procedures to comply with Senate Bill 13 before the 2025–26 school year. Staff described steps already taken and the processes the district will use to meet the law’s requirements. "One of the things that is required is catalog access so that parents can see titles in the school libraries," said Susie Farrell, director of library and media services, explaining that parents can already log into the district SSO portal and view school library holdings and historical checkouts. Farrell also said the district reinstated a "parent partnership" feature in January that allows parents to flag materials they prefer their child not access. Staff told trustees they expect TEA to provide a new reconsideration form in August and that the district will prepare acquisition lists, post them for 30 days and bring them to the board for approval after the posting period. The board approved the policy by motion as a first-and-only reading under the district’s emergency adoption guidelines because SB 13 requires the policy to be in place before the start of the school year. Trustees discussed concerns about new statutory language, including how the law’s changes affect reliance on prior court decisions about library materials. Trustee Larson warned that some statutory language could be "a sticking point" and said he hoped classic works like Huckleberry Finn or Macbeth would not be disqualified as "profane." Farrell and trustees said they expect to use common sense and existing professional standards while implementing the mandated procedures.