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Board rules three appealed titles do not meet state standard for 'objective sensitive material'; send to local subjective review
Summary
The board considered appeals of three titles flagged as potential 'objective sensitive material' under Utah statute and determined that none met the statutory threshold; each title was referred to the district’s subjective review process for further consideration.
The Jordan School District Board of Education considered appeals on three challenged titles at the June 10 meeting and concluded that none met the statutory definition of “objective sensitive material,” referring each title to the district’s subjective‑review committee for further local review and cataloging decisions.
What the board reviewed: Under state law, material classified as objective sensitive material must include a description or depiction of certain explicit sexual conduct. The board heard appeals and reviewed the passages submitted for Speak, the Speak graphic novel, and The Story of a Girl. Legal counsel and staff guided the board to consider the statute’s specific terms.
Board findings: For each title board members reviewed the submitted passages and found implications or references but not the statutory level of explicit description or depiction required to be classified as objective sensitive material. The board therefore voted to determine that each title does not meet the statutory objective sensitive threshold. By policy those findings move the titles to the district’s subjective review pathway (where community appropriateness and age‑appropriateness will be evaluated).
Votes and process: The board recorded motions that each title “does not constitute objective sensitive material” and approved each motion by unanimous vote. Legal counsel reminded the board that the next step under policy is a subjective review committee; that committee may consider developmental appropriateness, pervasive vulgarity, violence, or self‑harm concerns that fall outside the narrow statutory definition used for objective removal.
Context and next steps: The board’s determination does not guarantee continued availability; it only means the book does not meet the state’s statutory test for immediate objective removal. Each title will now undergo the district’s subjective review process, which evaluates age appropriateness and community standards and includes additional stakeholder input.
