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Higley board ratifies expense vouchers after debate over assigned books; two 3-2 votes
Summary
Two expense vouchers that included purchases of classroom books prompted objections from board members who cited sexual-content statutes and parental concerns; the board ratified voucher 1114 and voucher 1110 by 3-2 votes after discussion about parental permission and curriculum relevance.
The Higley Unified School District governing board ratified two expense vouchers after extended discussion about several classroom titles, including The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Invisible Man and Crying in H Mart.
President Amanda Wade said she had pulled expense voucher 1114 because it included a purchase of The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and expressed concern about explicit material being assigned in class. She referenced Arizona's statutory definitions and said the book contained "very sexually explicit content," questioning whether the purchases were consistent with ARS 15-120.03 and the criminal statute language in ARS 13-3501. "I don't understand how they're consistent with the letter or intent of the law," she said, and added, "that's why I had the book pulled." The board then voted 3-2 to ratify voucher 1114.
A separate discussion on voucher 1110 included several titles. One board member said Crying in H Mart is listed as adult audience material and noted Invisible Man contains sexual situations, violence and disturbing themes. In strong language one speaker said, "we're allowing children to read books about rape, sodomy, sex, masturbation," and said that parental concerns and potential enrollment impacts should be considered. Other board members urged parents to watch syllabi and pointed to the district's parental permission slips for assigned materials. A board member who stated the district follows standard curriculum-selection practice noted that passages under challenge typically represent a small portion of a longer text and emphasized alternatives are available when parents opt out.
The motions to ratify both vouchers passed on 3-2 votes; the transcript records the tallies but does not list individual board vote names for each tally in the public record. Ms. Schultz seconded both motions. Board minutes show the board followed its established process for parental notification and opt-out, and no formal policy change was made at the meeting.
The board discussion referenced state statutes by number and cited the district's public comment and public participation policy during the meeting. Members also asked that parents review syllabi and permission forms at the start of the school year.
