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Parent group urges delay of second reading for policy on instructional materials
Summary
A speaker representing Moms for Liberty asked the Carteret County Board to delay a second reading of policy 3200, citing concerns that language allowing rapid updates to instructional materials lacks clarity and that parents in lower grades were not adequately notified.
A representative of Moms for Liberty told the Carteret County Board of Education on Nov. 5 that she wants the board to postpone the policy 3200 second reading to give parents more notice and clarity about how instructional materials may change.
"My name is Olivia Kenyon, and thank you for allowing me to address you," Kenyon said during public comment. She identified herself as vice chairman of Moms for Liberty and said she was speaking on behalf of the group.
Kenyon said the district’s posted curriculum language — which refers to “specialized materials selected to meet diverse needs and rapidly changing circumstances” — is unclear and could permit quick changes in classroom materials. She raised specific examples about ratings for popular films and asked why parents at the lower elementary level were not notified before the policy advanced to a second reading.
Why it matters: Policy 3200 governs selection of instructional materials. Kenyon argued the policy’s allowance for changes under “rapidly changing circumstances” leaves too much administrative discretion without clear notice to parents, and she requested the board delay the second reading so more parents can review and comment.
Board process: Kenyon asked the board to "wait on having the second reading of this vote before you guys vote so that more parents could get notification" and to allow time for additional public input. The board did not take a vote to delay during the Nov. 5 meeting; the policy was included in the packet as a second-read item and staff had presented it earlier in the policy packet discussion.
What Kenyon asked for: She asked for clearer limits on what qualifies as a rapidly changing circumstance and for proactive parental notification before substantive material changes are permitted under the policy.
Next steps: The board’s published agenda listed policy 3200 as a second-read policy; Kenyon asked that the board hold the item so additional parents could be notified and offer comments before any formal action.
