Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Materials Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lakeland board member urges review of library‑materials policy 4.403 after recent concerns
Summary
A board member asked colleagues to review policy 4.403 (library materials) and directed staff to consult TSBA legal or the district’s counsel about possible revisions and enforcement steps in response to parental concerns.
A board member asked the Lakeland School System Board of Education to review policy 4.403, which governs library materials, and requested that staff and legal counsel examine whether stronger language or enforcement provisions are needed after “recent” incidents raising parental concern.
The request matters because board policy directs what materials are allowed in schools and how administrators can respond to parental complaints. The board member urged colleagues to consider language that makes the board’s expectations explicit and to ensure consequences for “flagrant violations.”
At the work session the board member said the intent was not to rush changes but to initiate a deliberate review process: board members should read policy 4.403, send feedback to Superintendent Dr. Horrell, and give staff time to consult the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) legal team or the district’s counsel. Dr. Horrell confirmed that she and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deloso had already tailored the current policy to the district and that it is not a verbatim TSBA template.
Board discussion emphasized process: the board member who raised the item asked for time to develop suggested edits and to gather administrator input about funding or operational “gotchas” before presenting formal language. Dr. Horrell said the item could return to the agenda in June, depending on legal review and administrator feedback, and reiterated that staff should be given an opportunity to resolve concerns through district procedures prior to board intervention.
No formal policy change was made at the work session. The board directed staff to review policy 4.403, obtain legal guidance if appropriate, and return recommended changes at a future meeting if needed.
The discussion occurred under agenda review and policy updates; board members repeatedly said the goal was to ensure staff understand both state law and the board’s expectations when selecting instructional and library materials.
