La Grange ISD trustees remove contested elementary book from current purchase list after debate

The La Grange ISD Board of Trustees debated a contested elementary title and agreed on Monday to move the volume off the current purchase list for further review. Trustee Calvin Mersiovsky questioned the need for the item, asking, "Why do we need a book at the Elementary about super gross butts?" Elementary librarian Amy McCord said the series uses photos to prompt readers to identify whether an image is a face or a butt and then provides factual animal information on the following page; she said similar series are popular with students.

Trustees attempted several procedural motions related to the 25‑26 List #2 library acquisitions; an initial motion to approve the whole list failed for lack of a second. After discussion, Mary Gunn moved—seconded by Curt Harbers—to remove Butt or Face? Vol. 3 from List #2 and place it on List #4 for review of Vols. 1–3 before any purchase. The board approved that motion. Dr. Karen Roberts recorded an abstention on a separate earlier unseconded motion (listed in the meeting minutes as "Abstain (With Conflict)"). The board scheduled formal action on the remaining List #4 materials at the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting, providing the 30‑day review window required for library content.

The exchange highlighted trustees' differing views on age‑appropriate titles and the library-selection process. The Elementary librarian and superintendent emphasized that titles may be reviewed and removed as requested and that the remainder of the list could move forward pending the formal December action. The board followed procedural rules throughout the exchange and used the meeting's review period to defer final purchase of the disputed volume.