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District forms 12-member committee after formal objections to high-school library books
Summary
Kenmore-Tonawanda officials said formal written objections to high-school library materials were received in November; the superintendent convened a 12-member review committee that has met three times and is examining district policies and regional and national guidance before making recommendations.
The Kenmore-Tonawanda Board of Education was updated on Jan. 14 that the district received formal written objections to high-school library materials in November and has convened a 12-member committee to review the requests and recommend next steps.
"This is the first time that we as a district have received formal written objections to library materials," Dr. Ann Martell said. She told the board the superintendent convened a representative committee that includes administrators from curriculum and instruction, building leaders, two parent representatives (one nominated by the parent who filed objections), two student representatives, a library media specialist and a teacher.
Martell said the committee is charged with reviewing district policies 8320 (textbooks, library materials and other instructional materials) and 8330 (objection to instructional materials and controversial issues), regional procedures, New York State Education Department guidance and American Library Association resources. "The committee discussions have been really rich and authentic," she said, adding the group had met three times in December and scheduled two more meetings.
The committee is considering whether to recommend an internal reconsideration procedure for objections to library materials and whether policy language needs clarification. Superintendent Samato said the committee’s work is intended to be transparent and to include multiple perspectives before the superintendent makes any final determination.
Martell did not present a recommendation at the Jan. 14 meeting; she said the committee will present findings and recommendations at a future board meeting.
