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Blount County board amends library policy after months of public comment, removes signature accountability language
Summary
After extensive public comment and board debate, Blount County Schools removed an added accountability/signature requirement from proposed library materials policy 4.403, citing concerns that it duplicates existing contract obligations and is prompting teachers to remove classroom libraries.
The Blount County Board of Education on a unanimous roll call moved to remove newly proposed accountability language from Policy 4.403 governing library materials, ending weeks of public concern that the change would place an undue legal burden on teachers and prompt classroom librarians to pull their book collections.
Director Tief Teller and members of the policy advisory committee described the package as an attempt to clarify definitions — including "obscenity" and "excessive violence" — and to create clearer procedures for reviewing challenged materials. Teller said the committee reviewed other districts' approaches and material from the Tennessee School Association (as cited in the advisory materials) and that the intent was "to help our…
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