Sheridan board narrows access to two contested books, removes one following public and trustee debate

The Sheridan County School District #2 Board of Trustees resolved three requests to reconsider titles in the Sheridan High School library after extended trustee discussion that cited legal standards, community expectations and librarians' recommendations.

Trustees debated whether the books met all three criteria of the Miller v. California obscenity test and weighed literary value, parental notification, and access controls. Trustee Moore, who said he read the books and reviewed legal and professional guidance, argued the works did not meet the full Miller standard and recommended restricted access instead of outright removal: "These books ... taken as a whole do have serious literary value," Moore said.

Trustee Ramber urged a stricter approach, saying explicit material "does not belong in our schools" and called for removal; other trustees said the district’s opt‑out policy and placing materials behind the librarian's desk can balance freedom and protection. Trustee Lansing and Trustee White urged limiting access to those 17 and older rather than juniors/seniors to avoid cases where age and grade do not line up.

The board took three separate formal votes:

- A Court of Wings and Ruin: a motion to remove the book failed on roll call. The board then approved a motion to retain the title behind the checkout desk for students 17 and older (motion carried).

- A Court of Frost and Starlight: a motion to remove the book failed on roll call. A subsequent motion to retain it with restricted access behind the checkout desk for students 17 and older passed.

- A Court of Silver Flames: an initial motion to retain the book behind the desk with parental permission failed; a later motion to remove A Court of Silver Flames from the Sheridan High School library passed on roll call.

Trustees discussed specific implementation and enforcement concerns, including how the opt‑out policy is enforced and whether parental notification could be improved when students check out restricted titles. Trustee Tomlinson said that parents may not know about opt‑out rules unless the district alerts them at checkout, and he urged caution.

Library staff and administration will implement the board’s access directions: move retained titles behind the checkout desk and enforce the 17+ access restriction; remove the Silver Flames title from the high school circulation. The board did not direct curriculum removal or classroom bans; the actions applied to library holdings and access only.

The meeting record shows a mix of trustee views but a common emphasis on either restricting access by age and placement or removing material considered excessively explicit. The board recorded roll‑call votes for each motion and will follow up with the library on implementation.