Community opposition mounts after three high‑school books removed; board starts policy review

Radnor Township School District heard an extended public outcry March 25 after three high‑school library titles were removed under Policy 144.1, with students, parents, teachers and civic groups urging the board to restore the books and overhaul the committee process that led to their removal.

The League of Women Voters of Radnor Township, represented by Jillian Norris Santo, said the league “commends the school directors on reviewing the decision and ask[s] that it be reversed,” and urged the board to include a community member on any review panel. High‑school students who spoke at the meeting framed the issue as one of free speech and student representation; Reagan Whitehead, a high‑school junior, said the committee that made the removals operates without accountability and “ignores Radnor’s commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness.”

Several parents and teachers asked the board to update Policy 144.1, a 2008 policy that multiple commenters said allows ad hoc committees to decide challenges without public notice. Dr. Laura Haynes, a parent and policy professional, told the board the policy “desperately needs revised” and recommended a transparent challenge process with timelines, public notice and stakeholder input. Rob King, president of the Radnor Teachers Association, said the RTA supports librarians and “their professionalism in creating warm, inviting spaces full of books.”

Speakers pushed back against claims that the books contained illegal material. Meg Stacko and other commenters pointed to national reviews and literary recognition for titles such as Fun Home, saying the complaints relied on mischaracterizations of content. Other public speakers urged that student voices be part of any policy change and that any process include a public hearing and published findings.

Board members acknowledged the public concern and committed to expedited review of Policy 144.1. Multiple directors noted the policy’s origin in a 2008 Pennsylvania School Boards Association manual and described plans to begin committee work in April. The board did not take an immediate vote on returning the three books to shelves; members cited legal notice requirements and a desire to have the full complement of board members present before pursuing formal action.

The board asked administration and the policy committee to solicit broader community input and to return with proposed revisions and timelines at upcoming policy meetings. Recorded callers submitted additional comments urging revision of the challenge process and the inclusion of students in any new procedures. The board said it would circulate the recorded public comments to members and continue the public policy review in the coming weeks.