Community speakers press Stillwater Area Public Schools over restricted LGBTQ children's books; board to update media-center policy

Dozens of community members told the Stillwater Area Public Schools board that recently restricted elementary-library access to three titles — Call Me Max, Granddad's Pride and Granddad's Camper — harms students and bypassed established review processes.

Kara Madetsky, a parent, told the board, “I am here tonight to express my disappointment and concern regarding the administrator's recent decision to restrict access to Call Me Max, Granddad's Camper, and Granddad's Pride all 3 of which are LGBTQ titles.”

The speakers framed their remarks as both procedural and values-based. Several citizens said district media specialists certified to review instructional materials were not consulted, which they said conflicts with the district's policy references and Minnesota law requiring licensed media specialists for challenges. Anna Zanko pointed to state protections and to legislation she said requires transparent challenge procedures and oversight by media specialists. The author Kyle Lukoff also submitted a letter, read at the meeting, arguing that Call Me Max meets the district's own stated standards for age, literacy level and educational value.

Opposing voices also spoke. Dr. Nina Cooper urged parental review and said some images in the books prompted concern over age-appropriateness. Kate Harry, a retired psychologist, told the board she had submitted pages and called the illustrations “graphic,” saying parents should review materials for young children.

Board Chair Sherman said the episode exposed gaps in existing rules. Sherman noted the district’s policy structure, saying policy 606 “does not appropriately cover media center materials” and that policy 625 (the media-center policy first adopted in 1971 and revised previously) and 606 need clarification. Sherman said the board plans to create a new policy, to be numbered 606.5, specifically to guide selection, management and reconsideration of media-center resources and that policy work is now a top priority.

Chair Sherman told the room the policy committee has begun drafting updates with district media specialists and teaching-and-learning staff and that the board expects to present the revised policy to the full board for review “likely in April or May.” She said the district will ensure multiple opportunities for community feedback.

The meeting record does not show a board vote on removing or restoring any specific title. Speakers and the chair characterized recent events as an internal administrative review rather than a formal, filed book challenge. Several commenters urged the board to adopt a process that includes certified media specialists, to protect student privacy, and to avoid decision-making that community members described as ad hoc.

The board will continue policy work and present proposed language to the full board for review; no further administrative actions regarding these specific books were recorded in the public meeting minutes provided here.

Ending

Board materials presented at the meeting indicate the policy committee will continue drafting 606.5 and return to the full board for consideration; the chair invited public participation in that drafting process.