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District appeal committees recommend retaining 13 Reasons Why and Check and Mate; superintendent to recommend same at board hearing
Summary
Two high‑school titles challenged for sexual content were reviewed at school and district appeal levels; review committees unanimously recommended retaining both books, and the superintendent will place the retention recommendation on the July board public hearing agenda.
Polk County staff told trustees that two challenged titles27 review committees unanimously voted to retain the books in district high‑school collections and that the superintendent recommended the same outcome on district appeal.
Victoria McKenzie and Stacy Davis outlined the process: media specialists vetted the challenges, school review committees read the books in full and used state statutory definitions for sexually prohibited content; when challengers appealed, district appeals committees (including media specialists, teachers, a social worker and a parent) again read the books in full and recommended retention.
The challenger alleged the works were pornographic and age‑inappropriate; committees concluded the books did not meet the statutory threshold for prohibited sexual content and therefore should remain in the collections. McKenzie said both books were purchased and circulated at the high‑school level, with 13 Reasons Why held in 12 schools and Check and Mate newly purchased at one school.
Several trustees noted that public attendance at review meetings had been low and urged continued transparency. The superintendent will place the retention recommendation on the July board public hearing agenda and staff offered to provide copies of the books to trustees for review.
What to watch: the July public hearing will be the formal stage for any board action; staff also committed to clearer communications about challenge procedures and committee schedules.
