Duval County School Board votes 6-1 to remove novel 'Identical' from district libraries

The Duval County School Board voted 6–1 on April 1 to permanently remove the novel Identical by Ellen Hopkins from district libraries and other district materials following extended public comment and board deliberations.

The decision came after nearly two hours of public testimony in which dozens of residents, parents and faith leaders urged the board to remove the book for what they described as explicit depictions of sexual abuse and other traumatic material. Other speakers and some educators urged the board to retain the book for its literary value or to make it available with parental permission.

The difference in views produced multiple amendments and procedural debate on the floor. The District Material Review Committee had recommended keeping the book available; a subsequent motion offered by Board Member Cindy Pierson (option offered by the committee) to “permanently remove Identical from DCPS school libraries/materials” was seconded and passed 6–1.

Why it mattered: Speakers on both sides framed the dispute around children’s safety, parental rights and the district’s duty under state law. Board members referred to Florida statutes related to library material and obscenity during the discussion; one board member described the matter as a statutory issue to be followed by the district.

Public testimony: Dozens of citizens used the meeting’s public-comment block to address the board. Speakers who urged removal described the text as explicit and harmful to children and said it had no place on school shelves. Kathleen Pereira, who read a passage aloud during public comment, said, “Once read, no child can unsee this kind of material,” and urged the board to replace such titles with works she described as “uplifting.” Several ministers and neighborhood leaders made similar appeals.

Speakers who urged retention or a narrower access policy said the book can be a resource for teenagers who have experienced trauma and argued that families already can obtain the title from public libraries. Mandy Rubin argued that “books give children windows and mirrors to the world outside of them,” and urged the board to rely on existing opt‑out processes rather than broad removal.

Board debate and amendments: Board members considered at least two amendments. One proposal — to restore the title behind the circulation desk and allow checkout only with written parental permission — failed on a 1–6 vote. Board Member Cindy Pierson then moved to adopt the committee option to permanently remove the title from DCPS libraries and materials; that motion was seconded and approved 6–1.

Board members explained their votes in different terms: some said the book violated statutory standards and cited state law; others said parental access outside the school system and existing opt‑out rights made library placement unnecessary. Vice Chair Carney noted that the title remained available at public libraries for families who wish to use it.

District next steps: The superintendent and staff said they would implement the board’s vote by locating and removing district copies and checking circulation records. The board directed staff to ensure removal from school libraries, classrooms and counseling offices; staff also said they would confirm counts through the district’s cataloging systems and communicate the action to school leaders.

What the board did not do: The board did not adopt a new, systemwide review rubric at this meeting, nor did it change the district’s statutory obligations; board members said staff would follow the board’s direction for this specific title and continue to refine procedures for future challenges.

The final vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed. The board meeting then continued with other agenda items.