During the public‑comment period at the Nov. 13 Mesa Public Schools Governing Board meeting, numerous librarians, teachers, parents and community members urged the board to preserve library staff and “specials” (music, art, physical education) at elementary schools. Commenters described library media specialists as the only staff member who regularly sees every child each week and said library instruction supports literacy, digital research skills and equitable access to books.

Caller themes and examples

- Several library staff and district library specialists urged the board to maintain full‑time library positions and highlighted responsibilities beyond book checkout: instruction, curriculum support, digital citizenship and literacy interventions. “A library is not an optional extra but is a vital part of how children learn,” one speaker said.

- Parents and a district library specialist described programs that expand access (for example, full‑campus laptop distribution at Roosevelt Elementary funded by philanthropy) and urged the board to consider library and specials funding as instructional rather than discretionary.

- Other public commenters raised separate topics in the same comment period (specialized schools, school calendars and student discipline), but the dominant theme during the public‑comment block was library preservation and the importance of arts and electives to whole‑child learning.

First read of library policy and procedure

Later in the agenda the board conducted a first reading of proposed revisions to Policy 5‑209 (School libraries, media and resource centers) and an accompanying procedure for reconsideration of library materials. Board members who worked on the draft said they incorporated legal guidance and ASBA conference recommendations; one board member proposed a minor wording edit to clarify the opt‑out procedure language and legal counsel asked that the board rely on its legal review.

Key procedural points discussed

- The proposed procedure includes a mechanism to restrict checkout of a title under formal reconsideration to students with parent permission, rather than removing the title entirely from district holdings while the review proceeds. Board members discussed whether titles should be automatically withdrawn during review or remain available with parent permission; staff said the proposed language aims to preserve access while protecting parental rights.

- Board members asked for clearer formatting and suggested grammatical edits; staff said the document will be revised for the second reading and will reflect board direction.

Next steps

The policy was presented for first reading; board members will receive an edited draft reflecting the suggested wording changes and a redline for the second reading and possible adoption at a future meeting. Staff emphasized that the district’s current book‑reconsideration process is available and encouraged parents to use the formal process if they have concerns about specific titles.

Speakers identified in public comment (selection)

- Dawn Richards (library advocate)
- Nora Brady (media specialist)
- Stephanie Stork (library staff)
- Michelle Aaron (district library services specialist)
- Several additional parents, teachers and community members

Authorities referenced

- Arizona Revised Statutes 15‑120.03 (parental review/opt‑out standards referenced in discussion)
- Board policy 5‑209 (first read)

Provenance

transcript_segments: [{"block_id":"5796.64","local_start":0,"local_end":44,"evidence_excerpt":"Good evening, governing board members. I'm sorry. I'm not talking. Good evening, governing board president Davis, governing board members, superintendency. I just would like to start with a quote from Henry Ward Beecher. A library is not a luxury but 1 of necessities of life...","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"15508.635","local_start":0,"local_end":80,"evidence_excerpt":"We are now into first read of updated policy five-two 0 9 school libraries, media and resource centers. Ms. King can you review the updates with us?" ,"reason_code":"topicfinish"}]

Ending

The district will return the policy and procedure to the board with minor edits and a redline for the second reading. Staff asked community members to use the district’s formal reconsideration procedure while the policy is finalized.

Searchable tags: ["libraries","book challenges","specials","policy_5-209"]