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Trustees approve SLAC library procurement list after trustees raise concerns about rushed committee review
Summary
Tasha Parker presented a 2,588-title review by the School Library Advisory Council (SLAC); trustees debated whether 63 titles with comments were fully discussed at the committee meeting before a 6–5 committee recommendation; despite concerns the board approved the procurement list and staff pledged follow-up and upheld challenge processes.
Tasha Parker presented the School Library Advisory Council’s recommendation for purchase of new or replacement library materials under the district’s process created to comply with Senate Bill 13.
Parker told trustees librarians reviewed 2,588 titles; 92 were put on a page for review or discussion and the committee worked through 29 of those at its meeting. Committee members ultimately voted (committee vote noted as 6–5) to approve the list, although one trustee told the board she was uncomfortable approving items that had not been discussed at committee because the meeting ran long and 63 titles with comments were not reviewed in detail.
"I don't feel comfortable voting on, basically, the 63 books that weren't discussed that people had concerns on, because it was just kind of a rubber stamp," said a trustee who served as a committee liaison, urging improvements to the review process.
Other trustees and staff pushed back that librarians and the committee had done a significant amount of preparatory work, that committee notes had been published in advance for community review, and that the district's challenge process remains available to parents. Parker said the list was publicly posted for 30 days and that staff will follow up with committee members and liaisons to expedite additional review and capture further input.
After discussion, a trustee moved to approve item 8e (the SLAC procurement list), the motion was seconded and the board carried the motion in open session.
Board members praised staff for managing a new process under state law and said the district will work to refine procedures and outreach to ensure thorough community review going forward.
