Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
McKinney ISD board approves LSAC-recommended library purchases, outlines parental review and opt-out rights
Loading...
Summary
The McKinney ISD Board approved a district recommendation from the Local School Library Advisory Council (LSAC) to add roughly 900 titles to school collections after a cyclical review process required by SB13; board members emphasized parental notice, opt-out tools and a formal reconsideration process.
The McKinney Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Jan. 20 to approve a recommendation from its Local School Library Advisory Council to make approximately 900 titles available for district libraries.
District staff described the LSAC process under board policy EFB, revised last August to align with SB13. The procedure requires librarians to screen candidate titles, a 30-day community-review posting on the district website, and an open LSAC meeting that considers public comments before making a recommendation to the board. "Parents can restrict access to any title in the library," the presenter said, describing an online catalog tool that allows parents to block checkouts for their own children.
The presenter told trustees the LSAC is made up of seven members appointed by board members, with a majority of voting members required to be parents of currently enrolled students and nonemployees of the district. She said professional school librarians, teachers and district coordinators reviewed materials and used selection criteria in policy; a title must meet at least two listed criteria to be considered for the recommended catalog.
Board members asked about committee attendance and selection criteria. One trustee said the large number of titles meant not every candidate would match their personal views but urged parents to use opt-out and reconsideration options. "Our parents have the right to opt out of these books," the trustee said.
After discussion, the board approved the LSAC-recommended list by voice vote with one recorded "No." The presenter said the librarians are not required to purchase every title on the list but will have a catalog of approved options from which to buy.
Board materials and the district web pages explain the reconsideration process and provide forms and contact points for parents who believe a title should be challenged.
What happens next: approved titles will be available to campus librarians for procurement; parents can block individual titles for their child via the district catalog and may initiate a formal reconsideration process if they believe a title does not meet board policy criteria.
