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Parent urges board to remove pornographic materials from district libraries during call to the public
Summary
A Paradise Valley parent urged the board to remove pornographic materials from school libraries and recommended the board take a stand to prevent sexualized content in district schools.
During the Call to the Public, parent Jennifer Ariza asked the Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board to remove what she called "pornographic material" from district schools and to avoid approving additional materials she described as sexualized.
Ariza said she checked district libraries and found 60 books that she considered pornographic and asked the board to "give this serious thought" when reviewing materials this coming school year. She linked her concerns to student mental health and raised a connection between sexualized materials and human trafficking, saying Arizona hosts a significant human trafficking recovery program and that sexualization of minors increases risk. "What if Paradise Valley was known for putting an end to pornographic material?" she asked the board.
Board members did not debate or respond substantively during the public-comment period; board policy and Arizona open-meeting law limit on-the-spot board discussion of items raised during Call to the Public. Staff may follow up with individual speakers where appropriate.
