Multiple residents call for review of library materials and flag policy during public comment

A string of public commenters at the 3 Rivers/Josephine County School District meeting urged the board to act on library materials and related policies.

Speakers raised two related concerns: first, several parents demanded removal of books they described as sexually explicit and said the district’s current challenge process is onerous and slow. One commenter said she had read the challenged titles herself and described them as inappropriate for K–12 students; another said parents had not received timely responses to challenge requests and urged that librarians and school officials screen materials before they reach students. Commenters requested a formal review of the district’s procedures for acquiring and vetting library materials.

Second, some public comments addressed flag displays and a recent consent‑agenda policy that a speaker said preserved multiple flags beyond the American flag. One commenter asked that classrooms display only the U.S. flag and urged the board to keep politics out of school displays.

Other speakers framed the issues in broader terms: one urged improving basic academic outcomes and asked the board to convene a citizens’ group to study questions about curriculum and student performance; another urged protection of foundational history instruction. Several commenters asked the board to involve parents and be more transparent in policy decisions affecting library collections.

Board members did not take immediate action in the public‑comment period; the meeting proceeded to agenda items. The district’s formal policy review process was referenced during the meeting, and several speakers requested that the board place policy review or stronger vetting procedures on a future agenda.

Ending: The comments concluded with requests for clearer timelines and more active district responses to book challenges and flag‑display concerns.