Alief ISD forms School Library Advisory Council, updates EFB local to comply with Senate Bill 13
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Summary
The board approved forming a School Library Advisory Council (SLAC) composed of trustee-appointed parents and adopted policy revisions to EFB local to implement SB 13’s requirements on library review, challenges and parental input.
The Alief ISD Board of Trustees on Aug. 26 approved the formation of a School Library Advisory Council (SLAC) and adopted revisions to board policy EFB local to implement requirements from Senate Bill 13, passed by the Texas Legislature.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Charlie Garcia described requirements from SB13 and introduced Executive Director Everett Hare, who outlined the proposed council’s membership and duties. Under the adopted approach, each trustee may designate one parent (non‑employee) to serve as a voting member; the body must have at least five voting parent members. Additional stakeholders—administrators, librarians, digital-learning staff and other community members—may serve as non‑voting advisers.
The SLAC will advise the board on collection development, acquisition and removal of library materials, and will follow public‑meeting requirements (posted agendas, meeting minutes and recordings). The policy creates a 30‑day review period for any formal challenge to library materials; the council will review challenges and recommend either removal or restoration. If the council recommends restoration, the material cannot be challenged again for two years. The council also will forward communications about challenges to the superintendent and the board.
Trustees asked procedural questions about parent selection and timing. Administration said boards have a 30‑day window after approval to submit trustee designees; the chair of the SLAC will be chosen by the council at its first meeting. The board approved the resolution forming the SLAC and then approved first and second reading and adoption of the EFB local policy revisions, each by voice vote (5–0 recorded; one trustee logged off during the meeting).
Why it matters: SB13 added a formal role for local advisory review of school-library materials and a defined challenge process. The changes shift responsibility for initial review to a locally constituted, trustee‑designated parent council and require administration to keep trustees informed of formal challenges and outcomes.