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 you relate to and empathize with the story. Stories also act as windows." A second speaker, a community member who described personal experience as a first‑generation American, said the district's students still experience racism and bullying and urged the board to maintain access to diverse stories, naming American Born Chinese as an example.

Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Bloom addressed the board and public about the district's approach. "DCG as a district is not looking to ban books," Bloom said. He described the district's obligation to follow state law and district policy and said the reconsideration committee exists to carry out that policy: to review any formal complaints, gather information, deliberate and issue a recommendation. Bloom said the committee is intended to be impartial and follow legal guidance from the district's attorneys.

Under the district process described by Bloom, a parent or guardian may file a formal challenge using the district form; a building principal forwards it to the superintendent; and the superintendent or his designee (the non‑voting administrator on the committee) convenes the committee. Bloom said the committee is made up of three staff members and three community members, that deliberations on recommendations occur outside public comment, and that the committee then sends its recommendation to the superintendent. A complainant may then appeal a committee recommendation to the full board.

Board members moved and seconded the proposed committee membership and the motion passed by voice vote. At the time the board approved the membership, district officials told the board there was not an active complaint pending before this newly constituted committee; if a complainant wishes to refile or file a new challenge, the committee will consider it under the published procedure.

Board policy cited in the discussion included Board Policy 213 (public comment rules) and Regulation 605.03R1 (reconsideration of instructional materials). Bloom said the district followed attorney guidance when posting the committee meeting notice and that the posting cadence (special meetings posted with 24 hours' notice) matched other district practices.

What happens next: if a formal complaint is filed the committee will review the challenged material, gather and share evidence among committee members through the administrator, deliberate, and issue a recommendation. If the complainant appeals, the board will receive the appeal per Policy 605.03.

"I will absolutely wholeheartedly meet with anyone that wants my time," Bloom said, summarizing the district's offer to answer questions and provide information.

Votes and motions related to the committee membership were recorded in the meeting minutes as approved by voice vote.