Rutherford County School Board reviews challenged library books, votes to remove some and require parental opt‑in for others

The Rutherford County School Board on Wednesday carried out a line‑by‑line review and roll‑call votes on library titles challenged by the public and staff, removing some books from school shelves and keeping others in circulation with grade limits or a parental opt‑in process.

Board members began the agenda item after public comment from parents, librarians and community members who expressed sharply differing views. Lindsey Schultz, a parent and business owner, told the board that book removals strip “perspectives, ... identities” from students; Daphne Gamble, a member of the public, cited the Miller obscenity test and warned that Tennessee’s Age‑Appropriate Materials Act could be vulnerable to legal challenge. Elizabeth Shepherd, a public‑school librarian and parent, asked the board to back library media specialists and their recommendations.

The board said it would vote on each title individually with a roll call. The media‑specialist reviews and excerpted challenge content were considered by board members as they debated whether books meet state legal standards for removal or must remain available to appropriate grade bands.

Votes at a glance

- Aristotle and Dante…