Humble ISD adopts school library advisory council policy after extended debate

The Humble Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt revisions to district policy that establish a school library advisory council, following extended discussion of recent state law changes and the practical details of forming and operating the council.

Board members spent more than an hour discussing how a SLAC would be constituted, how members would be appointed, and what powers the council would hold. Legal counsel explained the options under Senate Bill 13 and the district’s choices: adopt a policy that establishes a council proactively, or adopt procedures and allow the council to be created only if a petition from at least 50 parents is submitted. Ultimately the board amended its motion to specifically create the council and then approved the policy as amended by a 7-0 vote.

School library advisory councils are a new option under SB 13 that give parents and communities a formal role in reviewing library materials and advising on acquisition policies. Legal counsel told trustees the council must include parents of currently enrolled students and may not include district employees as parent appointees. Counsel also explained that while the council can review proposed acquisitions and book challenges and make recommendations, “final decisions rest on the board of trustees,” and the policy preserves the board’s ultimate authority.

Administrators recommended a council composed of a multiple-of-seven membership so each trustee could appoint an equal number of parents; the administration recommended 14 members so each trustee would appoint two parents. The adopted draft requires the council to meet at least twice per year, to consider proposed acquisitions and challenges, and to propose book-challenge procedures for board review. The policy also specifies administrative support: the senior director for personalized student success (Dr. Melissa Lee) or the district coordinator of library media services would serve as administrative liaisons to schedule meetings, post notices and provide subject-matter expertise.

Trustees pressed for operational clarity. Trustee Scarfo asked whether creating a council would lock the district into it for a fixed period if a petition triggered formation; legal counsel said a petition-based council carries additional statutory protections but the board-created council can later be adjusted by the board. Trustees also asked whether council meetings would be posted and open; counsel said meetings must be posted with a 72-hour notice and recordings/minutes made available, and that nothing in statute prevents the public from attending. Administration emphasized the council would not be able to remove books directly from campus shelves without following the board-approved review process.

Trustee Grabowski moved to amend the motion to add language establishing a school library advisory council. After discussion the amendment was seconded and passed 7-0; the motion as amended passed 7-0. The board directed administration to publish the revised policy and supporting materials online after the meeting.

The policy change carries procedural requirements for campuses: proposed acquisitions must be posted publicly for 30 days, and the council may meet to review proposals during that posting period. The policy also outlines that council membership should be balanced and representative, and that the council must propose challenge-review procedures for board consideration.

The board’s action implements one of the choices SB 13 gave local districts: proactively establish a local advisory body rather than wait for a petition. Administration said it would post the adopted policy and provide implementation guidance to campus leaders and the public.

Board action and next steps: the board adopted the policy as amended (vote 7-0). Administration will post the policy, prepare nomination/appointment guidance for trustees, and work with library services to meet the statute’s posting and meeting requirements.