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Board adopts Common Sense Media as preliminary review framework for novel approvals, pledges further work on diversity
Summary
Windsor Unified agreed to use Common Sense Media to streamline novel approvals but trustees and public raised gaps—particularly around ethnic‑studies and history titles—and asked staff to build supplementary review processes and engage experts.
The Windsor Unified Board voted May 8 to adopt Common Sense Media as a district review framework for instructional novel selection to speed adoption of titles that the service deems age‑appropriate.
Annette Zucconi told the board staff recommended using the nonprofit’s age and content advisories so fewer single‑title approvals would need to come before the board. Under the proposal, books that meet the Common Sense Media age‑appropriateness criteria would be included in an annual list reviewed under the SARC process; staff and parents would retain opt‑out rights.
Trustees and speakers on the dais cautioned that Common Sense Media has gaps in coverage—particularly in ethnic‑studies and many social‑science titles—and is not a substitute for subject‑matter expertise. Trustee 3 said some books used in ethnic‑studies coursework are not even in Common Sense Media’s catalog and urged creation of an additional review pathway that brings in experts and professors to vet such titles.
The board passed a motion to adopt the Common Sense Media framework while directing staff to solicit input from subject‑matter experts, encourage teachers and community members to submit additional titles for review, and develop supplemental review steps for ethnic‑studies and history texts. The motion passed by voice vote.
Staff noted that the Windsor High School English department has already prepared a list of proposed titles that staff will submit through the new process; administrators said they will ask Common Sense Media about expanding coverage and will continue to bring high‑priority titles to the board when appropriate.
