Parents and community members ask Bear Valley Unified to review middle- and high-school library books for explicit content

Bonnie Schaffer, a community member, told the Bear Valley Unified School District governing board that her group had reviewed several library titles and considered portions to be pornographic or “pervasively vulgar,” and she provided board members and the superintendent with packets showing highlighted pages she said were of concern.

Schaffer said the group reviewed materials currently in middle- and high-school libraries and that the packet included excerpts they believe fail an educational-suitability standard. She cited research summaries and public-opinion polling during her remarks, saying her team relied on those sources while forming its view and asking the board to consider placing the topic on a future agenda so the district could evaluate the materials formally.

The packet distribution and Schaffer’s request were made during the public-comment period. She told the board she had five packets for members and said she had a separate packet for the superintendent. Schaffer asked for a future agenda item to consider whether particular materials meet the district’s educational standards and suggested the board or a designated review team examine the flagged pages.

The board did not take immediate action during public comment. Board members directed staff to note the request; staff indicated the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) community engagement process and an upcoming LCAP meeting were venues where curriculum and spending priorities are discussed. The speaker requested that the district consider formal review procedures for library materials and expressed the expectation the board would consider the request at a later meeting.

Ending

The board acknowledged receipt of the packets and did not make a public ruling on any specific title during the meeting.