Grants Pass school board stalls proposed library-materials policy after hourlong public debate

The Grants Pass SD 7 Board of Education failed to advance a proposed instructional-materials policy at first reading after extended public comment and board discussion about a 25-day waiting period for new library materials.

Supporters of the draft policy, including several parents and community members, said it would increase transparency and give families more opportunity to review instructional and library materials. Opponents — including the district librarian and free‑speech advocates — said the 25‑day delay would undermine professional library selection, risk conflict with newly enacted state law and could create a pathway for de facto exclusion of books about marginalized groups.

Board members took up action item 6.2, “approval of first reading, IIA instructional materials,” after a motion from Member Duvall and a second from Member Sable. The motion failed in a roll-call vote that recorded a 3–4 split: Member Sable, Member Richardson and Member Dibdahl voted yes; Member Schmidt, Amber Smith, Deborah Brownell and Chair Wilkins…