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Public commenters urge Comal ISD to remove 'pervasively vulgar' books, cite timeline of notices and state rules
Summary
Multiple community members used the public-comment period to urge Comal ISD to remove certain library titles and to press the district on compliance with state law and internal notification; speakers cited a submitted list of 30 titles and legislative and administrative references.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the Feb. 27 Comal ISD Board of Trustees meeting to urge action on library materials they described as sexually explicit or "pervasively vulgar," and to press the district on whether it complied with notification and removal requirements under state guidance.
Judy Rothfel (who identified herself in her remarks as Judy Raphael), a New Braunfels resident, read an explicit excerpt from Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses and urged the board to remove the title from district library catalogs. "This excerpt that I read to you is an example of the many books that are pervasively vulgar and educationally unsuitable in our schools," she said.
Kevin Samuelson told trustees he and his wife experienced retaliation after reporting staff violations and asserted that students' 504 plans and FERPA protections were violated; he urged the board to review how complaints were handled and whether parents were notified. "If Comal ISD employees come forward and report school violations or medical violations, it is acceptable to harass the employee ... to pressure them into quitting," Samuelson said.
Leanne Rollins, another resident, cited the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision commonly referred to as Pico v. Island Trees and said school boards retain authority to remove "obscene" or "sexually explicit" material for students. She also referenced House Bill 900 from the last Texas legislative session and the Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Chapter 4, urging trustees to act to keep libraries "safe for all of our children."
Debbie Linebaugh provided a timeline of communications she said had been sent to the district: a March 6, 2024 letter from a co-chair of the Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids Committee to superintendents and trustees; a detailed noncompliant book list sent Oct. 13, 2024; follow-up on Oct. 29; an Oct. 30 response saying an informal review was underway; and an inquiry on Jan. 6, 2025 that received a reply that reviews were ongoing. She said the district's Jan. 30 biannual book report indicated one of the 30 submitted books had been removed in January but argued the community expects more accountability.
Commenters asked the board to evaluate compliance with the statutes and administrative rules they cited. Board members did not debate or take action during public comment; trustees reminded speakers that the board cannot deliberate on matters not on the printed agenda and that staff will follow up where appropriate.
Speakers at public comment included community members who identified themselves as parents and district residents and one commenter who said he is running for the school board. The board did not announce any immediate policy or removal decisions during the meeting.
