District 11 adopts revised library‑resources policy after debate over wording on 'obscene' material

The Colorado Springs School District No. 11 Board of Education voted on Nov. 19 to adopt a revised policy governing instructional materials and library resources (policy IJL), approving an amendment that changes the bullet language from 'obscenities' to the adjective 'obscene.'

Director Huber initially moved to adopt the policy as presented. Director Art/Ott proposed three edits the night before: adding the word "inclusive" to a bullet about balanced collections, changing the wording from "obscenities" to "obscene," and restoring a reference to student interest. Board discussion focused chiefly on the first two proposals.

Director Ott argued adding "inclusive" would make the purpose more explicit; Director Bankes said the term "balanced" already carried that intent and called "inclusive" redundant. A more extended debate centered on whether the policy should use the noun "obscenities" (which some board members said invites contextual review of specific passages) or the adjective "obscene" (which aligns with the policy’s definition language). Director Art/Ott moved the amendment to replace "obscenities" with "obscene," and the board approved the amendment by roll call.

Director Huber and other board members emphasized that the revised policy aims to comply with state law while protecting students’ access to materials and clarifying complaint and review procedures. Director Huber told the community the policy changes were intended to make the process more transparent and to balance parents’ rights with students’ freedom to read.

Board members discussed restoring an explicit reference to "student interest"; the group reached a compromise to add student interest language into the policy’s first bullet rather than add a separate bullet. Director Ott said he would vote for the final policy while stressing the importance of students’ First Amendment rights and access to materials that reflect their life experience.

The board conducted a roll call on the final motion to adopt policy IJL with the amendment; multiple directors answered "Aye," and the chair declared the motion adopted. The board then moved to executive session to discuss litigation and personnel matters.

What happens next: the policy will take effect per the usual district policy‑adoption timeline; the board did not identify additional interim actions beyond implementing the revised policy language and providing administration guidance on interpretation.