Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Materials Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board amends policy language on library challenges, plans further edits
Summary
The board reviewed proposed amendments to Policy 2522, which governs challenges to library or reading materials, discussed replacing the word “book” with “materials,” and agreed to change a procedural timing provision before a second reading.
The Alachua County School Board opened a public hearing on revisions to Policy 2522, the district’s policy on challenges to the adoption or use of instructional library and reading materials, and discussed clarifying wording and procedural steps before returning the policy for a second reading.
District counsel Mister Spillius summarized the packet and recommended changing any instance of the word “book” to “materials” to align the policy with state statute and to avoid limiting the rule to print products. "I will make note that, when we come back for a second reading, in a couple weeks, I am recommending that we just make another slight revision to the policy as drafted to where any time the word book is referenced, we change that to materials to make it completely consistent with state statute," he said.
Board members asked for clearer definitions and fewer automatic postponements in one procedural paragraph. Board member Ms. Surdin asked about language in paragraph d that allows an objector to postpone a decision twice; she said that could allow repeated delays. Counsel Spillius said the provision was added to expand due process and was not mandated by statute. “We felt taken away the special master special hearing officer. Things come up with folks, and we just thought maybe in the interest of, I guess, expanded due process, giving them the opportunity,” he said.
Members Mr. Vu and Ms. Surdin asked staff to reduce the number of allowable postponements to once; board counsel said staff can return with that revision for second reading. No public commenters signed up for the item at the hearing. The board will consider the revised wording at the next meeting.
