Comal ISD board approves 589 library titles under SB13; 20 titles pulled for further review

The Comal ISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 20 approved the acquisition of 589 unique ISBNs for district library collections after the titles were posted for the minimum 30-day public review required under Senate Bill 13.

Jillian Pratt, the district’s director of digital learning and library services, told the board that 609 titles were initially listed but that after removing items already in the district collection by ISBN, 589 unique ISBNs remained for approval. Pratt said eligible community members living in the district submitted 20 feedback forms; those 20 titles "did receive comments of concern that have been pulled from those list for further review." Any of the pulled titles recommended for approval after review will be returned to a future board agenda with the review findings.

Board members asked about who is eligible to submit feedback and how parents can control their own children’s access to materials. Pratt said SB13 restricts community-feedback eligibility to people who live in the district and noted the district's Roots and Reads feature that allows parents to manage their child’s checkout privileges. Several trustees praised the district’s public-facing library catalog and website as a transparency measure.

Tim Hennessy made the motion to approve the acquisition list as presented; Amanda Jones seconded. The board approved the measure by voice vote, 6–0. The presenters said the 20 pulled titles will be researched under the district’s read-and-review process; staff indicated those reviews are unlikely to be completed in December and may appear on a February agenda.

The board’s action implements the district’s SB13 process and preserves the formal pathway for community feedback and staff review of contested titles.