Teacher submits six‑book challenge under SB 13, urges district to post challenge form

Jennifer Yock, a music teacher at Finley Oates, used the public‑comment period to say she has submitted formal challenges to six books she believes constitute "harmful material" under recent state law and TEA guidance. "I submitted this challenge for those 6 books to Mr. Hicks last year," she told the board, urging the district to post the required challenge form on its website and to follow the SB 13 process.

Yock summarized TEA guidance she said was released Aug. 28 and walked the board through steps she said the law now requires: a posted challenge form, an option for parents to request a school library advisory committee (SLAC) by petition, and an immediate restriction that would block challenged material districtwide until a determination is made. "One change from last year is that there needs to be an immediate access restriction if a book has been challenged," she said, and noted SLAC composition rules that would require board involvement.

Board members thanked Yock and the chair directed staff to accept the submission. When Yock offered copies of her challenge documents and said she has been in contact with state representative staff, the chair responded, "Okay… I'll just throw one over there," indicating staff would take the materials. The board did not take formal action on the challenge during the meeting; members discussed that the district website would be updated to include forms and that district staff would process the challenge under the updated state requirements.

Why it matters: SB 13 and recent TEA guidance change the mechanics of how book challenges are handled and increase school board involvement in those reviews. Staff and board members will need to ensure complaint forms, temporary access restrictions and SLAC procedures are implemented per state rules and posted where parents can find them.