Hillsborough superintendent orders immediate review after state flags books; public demands clearer process

Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Van Ayers ordered several library titles removed and launched a districtwide review of hundreds more after the Florida Department of Education and the state attorney general identified specific books as inappropriate.

The move prompted a flood of public comments Tuesday evening, with parents and community members urging immediate action and others warning that book removals must follow clear, public procedures. “This is not about banning books or silencing diverse voices. We are asking you to remove materials that are plainly graphic, developmentally inappropriate, and that damage the innocence of children,” public speaker Theresa Miller told the board during public comment.

The superintendent said the district received letters from state agencies naming a small set of titles and that he asked staff to make those items unavailable while a broader review is completed. “At that point in time, there were 6 books that I emailed out to our team that those 6 books were to removed,” Ayers said in his remarks, and he directed media specialists to review a longer list that has been circulated by the state.

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