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Board removes three titles after book-challenge hearings, debates legal risk
Summary
After committee recommendations and board debate, Brevard's school board voted to remove People Kill People and Damsel and, following an amendment, Sasaki and Miano vol. 1; members cited content and format concerns and discussed potential legal exposure.
The Brevard County School Board on Aug. 27 considered three book challenges and voted to remove two titles that the committee recommended for removal and one title that the committee had recommended keeping.
Dr. Rendell introduced H32 (People Kill People by Ellen Hopkins), noting the committee had recommended keeping the book. A board member moved to reject the committee recommendation and remove the title, arguing the book contains explicit scenes and pointing to low usage ("it's only been checked out 0 times since 2019," a board member said). The motion to remove carried by roll call vote.
The board then considered H33 (Damsel by Elena K. Arnold). The committee recommended removal, the board approved that recommendation by roll call, and the title will be removed from district holdings.
For H34 (Sasaki and Miano vol. 1 by Sho Harasuno), the committee recommended keeping the title. Several board members raised concerns about appropriateness and the book's format. One member cautioned that removing a book that does not violate statute could invite legal challenges; legal counsel referenced the Escambia litigation as an example of potential litigation risk. After debate, a motion to remove the title succeeded on a roll call amendment.
Board members repeatedly noted the difference between library holdings and instructional materials during debate. Legal counsel cautioned that district procedure and statutory authority will shape any future legal challenges to removals.
Implementation: library services was directed to remove the titles and update holdings per board direction.
