KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. — Reverend Philip Dunn addressed the Kanawha County Board of Education on April 17 to urge removal of materials he described as "obscene" and "pornographic" from public schools and libraries.

Dunn said he is pleased the district protected certain private spaces but said he remains concerned that materials in school libraries can undermine moral instruction and expose children to content he considers harmful. He told the board one title contained the "f word" repeatedly and cited national statistics he said show high rates of sexually transmitted disease as part of his argument for stricter material controls. Dunn concluded his remarks with a prayer for the board.

The board did not take action during the meeting on book-material requests or removals. Public-comment remarks such as Dunn’s were noted by the board, and no immediate policy change was advanced at the April 17 session.

Why it matters

Public comment over library and classroom materials can spur reviews of collection policies and trigger formal reconsideration procedures under district rules. The meeting record shows a community member raising concerns; the district did not address policy changes at that meeting.

What's next

No formal action was taken at the April 17 meeting. If residents submit formal requests for reconsideration, the district’s established review process would apply.