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Belton ISD moves to establish school library advisory council under new state law
Summary
Following passage of Senate Bill 13, the board adopted a resolution to create a local school library advisory council to involve parents in acquisitions and challenges; the law also requires new posting and review steps and makes library checkout records part of the student academic record.
Belton ISD trustees on Aug. 18 voted 7–0 to establish a local school library advisory council (SLAC) as part of district implementation of Senate Bill 13, a state law that expands parental rights and board oversight over school library materials.
Gabby Nino, district staff, briefed the board on key provisions of Senate Bill 13 and how they build on prior legislation (House Bill 900). Nino said the law formally makes library checkout history part of a student’s academic record, requires an online portal to show a child’s checkout history, and allows parents to submit lists of materials they do not want their child to access. Nino said the district uses Destiny Library Management System and that parents will have access to checkout records through that system.
Nino explained the law’s new acquisition and challenge process: materials proposed for purchase must be posted publicly for 30 days for review; a local SLAC (if established) would review proposed acquisitions and make recommendations to the board, which has the final approval authority. Nino said any person may submit a written challenge and that, under SB13, a challenged resource is removed from district libraries district-wide during review. The law provides a 90-day review period, which the district may extend for extenuating circumstances with board approval.
Nino described the council’s required composition and duties: a council must include at least five members, a majority of whom must be parents or guardians, and members would serve staggered terms (the resolution proposes two-year terms) and meet at least twice annually. Nino also noted administrative work the district is pursuing, including required policy updates, a technological review tool (OnShelf/Bookmarked) for large collections and coordination with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which will issue further guidance.
Trustees said creating the advisory council proactively will help the district work with parents and avoid a mandated council if 10% of the district’s students or 50 parents petition for one under the statute. The board adopted a resolution to form the SLAC and directed administration to continue policy updates and community outreach to implement SB13 requirements.
