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 Discover the Secrets of the Universe — recommended for grades 8 and up by media specialists; motion to retain failed (board did not retain the title). - Heroin (challenge excerpt and title on agenda) — media specialists recommended retention for high school; board approved retention for high school only with a parental opt‑in arrangement (parents must opt in for student access). - I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter — media specialists recommended retention at high school only; board voted not to retain (title removed). - Shiver — recommended for grades 8 and up; the board limited retention to high school only and retained the title. - To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before — recommended for middle and high; board retained the title for high school only with parental consent requirements adopted by amendment. - Looking for Alaska — media review did not find it meets the statutory obscenity threshold, but after discussion the board voted to remove the title. - Concrete Rose — board voted to remove the title. - Monday’s Not Coming — after debate the board adopted a retention plan limited to 11th–12th grade with a parental opt‑in requirement. - Vampire Academy — motions to remove and to retain were considered; the board did not approve retention (the motion to retain failed). - Eleanor & Park — board voted to remove the title.

Why it matters

Board members repeatedly framed the decision as a legal and policy question: whether challenged passages meet Tennessee’s definitions for material that must be removed and whether the titles align with the district’s educational mission. Several board members said they respected librarians’ expertise but also felt the board had an obligation to weigh community standards and minors’ access to certain content.

What board members and staff said

Doctor Chastain (library administration) explained that selection criteria and state rules include recreational reading, diverse viewpoints and materials “appropriate for the age and maturity levels of the students who may access the materials.” Legal counsel Jeff Reed answered questions about statutory definitions and how the law defines “governing body” for other agenda items.

Board members split on several titles. Member Vaught argued for retaining titles and relying on parents to limit their children’s access at home; member Darby and others emphasized that the board is legally responsible for what is available in school buildings. Multiple board members asked staff whether software and catalog settings could support parental opt‑in or other controls; staff said they are investigating options with Skyward and Follett/Destiny but could not promise immediate automated notifications for every checkout.

Next steps and process notes

- The board applied parental opt‑in arrangements for specific retained titles and limited other retained titles to high school grade bands as a compromise in several cases. - Staff said they will continue exploring technical ways to allow parental opt‑in or parental notification (Skyward and Destiny integrations were under investigation). - Board members and public speakers asked that the rationale and excerpts used in each review be retained in meeting records; the board followed an individual roll‑call procedure for each title.

Ending

Board members said the library review process will continue as additional challenges are filed and as the policy committee considers clarifications that were discussed during the meeting. Several public speakers thanked the board and librarians for the work behind the reviews.