Parents read passages from challenged books at Academy District 20 meeting, call for review of library collections
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Summary
Four public commenters read passages they said are from district library books and urged the board to review library holdings; speakers cited a court opinion about public interest in library content and alleged that some material is inappropriate for younger students.
Four members of the public used the board’s public comment period to call attention to books in district libraries and to read passages they described as explicit or objectionable.
Cynthia Halverson opened by referencing a legal decision in Moms for Liberty v. Brevard County, saying "the content of books and school libraries is a matter of serious community interest" and arguing that speakers should be allowed to quote or read from books in order to show their content.
Brett Dayberry and William Sawvel followed with readings from titles they said are available in District 20 libraries, including a young‑adult title located at Rampart High School and another title they said is also on middle‑school shelves. Dayberry said parents would read from those books "to demonstrate the truly vile and disgusting nature of many of those books in our libraries" and read multiple passages during his allotted time. The board paused briefly and the board announcer gave a warning and offered viewers and attendees an opportunity to step away because the readings contained potentially adult language.
Sawvel said the district’s online sign‑up and selection process limits a speaker’s ability to show where a book is located and asserted parent concerns that some content is available to middle‑school students. He read passages that he said included sexual content and asked what "needs" were being met by including such material in middle‑school collections.
Superintendent Haberow declined to offer clarifying remarks during the meeting, and the board did not take immediate action; the president said the board may discuss public comments later or on future agendas. The public comment period lasts two minutes per speaker, and the board reiterated that it generally does not respond during the comment segment.
No formal policy change or board directive resulted from the comments at this meeting; board members asked the administration to consider whether follow‑up is warranted.