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Resident urges school board to revise book‑challenge process, calls it undemocratic
Summary
A member of the public told the Hernando County School Board she opposes broad book bans and urged a more equitable process for handling objections raised by individual parents.
At the Aug. 12 Hernando County School Board meeting, Beverly Coe urged the board to revise the district’s process for handling book challenges, arguing that a single parent's objection should not remove a book from access for all students.
"I feel it's important to discuss books with one's kids throughout their school years," Coe said during the public comment period. She said she objects to a process she described as "medieval" and urged a "more common sense approach" that preserves parental choices without imposing a single parent's views districtwide. "For those who are adamant on book restrictions for their children, then by all means, restrict them. But in jumping from not wanting your child to have access to a book to all children not having access to that book, redefines parental rights," she said.
Coe cited national polling and said most Americans trust school librarians to make decisions about library materials. She closed by thanking Chairwoman Shannon Rodriguez for streamlining the meetings. Board staff had no substantive response during public comment, and the board did not take immediate action on book‑challenge policy at the meeting.
