Board questions book-list process, tables policy change pending clearer opt-out rules

At the July 2025 Southern Waters Education meeting, board members raised substantive questions about the district's high school book list and the process parents should use to opt students out of assigned reading, and they voted to table a proposed policy change for further review. The discussion centered on whether one parent can trigger removal of a title, how alternate instruction would be provided, and whether the superintendent should have authority to revise the list during the school year. Board members said the current policy language is unclear and asked the administration and policy committee to draft explicit language before the board votes again. Board member Greg said he did not want to vote for the high school list “until I know exactly what that says,” and other trustees expressed concern that a student removed from class for weeks would miss teacher instruction. The superintendent said the district has a parental opt-out form and a process that includes offering alternate titles that cover the same standards. She described an intended building-level review committee that would include teachers, administrators and parent representatives to consider adding or removing titles. Board members and the superintendent agreed the policy language should explicitly state how additions and removals will be handled during the year, how parents submit challenges, and how a student will receive equivalent direct instruction when excused from a class text. The superintendent also said she does not want to preempt the board by unilaterally removing titles and recommended clearer timelines and reporting back to the board when the committee reconvenes. After discussion the board moved to table the policy item for a detailed rewrite and directed members and staff to bring suggested wording to the policy committee meeting scheduled later in the week. The board asked that the revised language clarify (1) the role of a building-level committee with parent representation, (2) what documentation a parent must submit, and (3) whether the board will receive discrete items for consideration during the school year instead of waiting for an annual list revision. The board also discussed the high school book list itself during the meeting; at roll call for that item one trustee recorded a “No” vote while other members voted “Yes.” The superintendent said she would have staff (Andrea) follow up with trustees with the opt-out process details and present proposed policy language to the board’s policy committee.