Public commenters urge board to keep graphic novels; board approves reconsideration committee

At a regular meeting of the Dallas Center‑Grimes Community School District board, community members urged the board not to remove two graphic novels from school libraries and asked the district to preserve access to diverse literature. The board voted to approve the membership of a district reconsideration committee that will follow district regulation 605.03R1 and the district's established policy for reconsidering instructional materials.

The request to keep the books on library shelves came during public comment. Jenna Best, owner of Wandering Raccoon Books and a member of the Grimes Chamber of Commerce, told the board she was speaking from the perspective of a bookseller and business member who supports local schools. "Stories are like parts of a house," Best said. "Stories act as doors. They open our imagination to new worlds. Stories also act as mirrors. Seeing yourself reflected in the characters helps…