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Britton-Hecla board hides challenged Sora titles pending review, discusses part‑time School Resource Deputy
Summary
Superintendent Stephen Benson told the board that books challenged in the district’s Sora online library have been hidden while the district and its network administrator vet content and filtering; the board also discussed a planned part‑time School Resource Deputy contract with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office set to begin next semester.
Superintendent Stephen Benson told the Britton‑Hecla School District 45‑4 board on Dec. 9 that questioned titles available through the district’s Sora online library subscription have been removed from student view while the district and its network administrator review the resource and evaluate filtering options. Benson said the district receives Sora via Compass/TIE and that the removal is temporary until a plan can be agreed on.
The action responded to a petition submitted to the district; members of the public raised concerns about Sora and also urged the board to develop a policy governing the showing of movies containing sexual content as part of classroom curriculum during the meeting’s public comment period. The board heard public comments on these topics until about 6:20 p.m., Superintendent Benson said.
Benson also reported that the district and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office are negotiating an agreement to place a School Resource Deputy in the building for a few hours each week. Benson said the plan is to enter the contract at the start of the second semester once both parties approve the agreement.
Board President Troy Knecht and other members did not move to take immediate formal action on Sora during the meeting; the superintendent’s report described steps the district has already taken and next steps for vetting and filtering. The reported sequence was: hide questioned titles from student view, work with the network administrator to evaluate filtering, and develop a plan for board consideration.
The superintendent also summarized state and federal education developments he said could affect district funding, citing a governor’s proposal for a 1.25% increase in state aid to education, proposed school‑safety funding, and a state sales tax discussion that could influence property tax–based school aid. Benson noted federal proposals circulating in Washington, D.C., that, if enacted, could shift departmental responsibilities; he did not report any immediate fiscal effects to district budgets.
The board did not adopt a specific policy on classroom film content at the Dec. 9 meeting; members directed no formal follow‑up motions in the minutes. The district said it will continue vetting Sora and return with recommendations.
