School board narrowly approves contested library material policy
The Brooklyn Park School Board approved a revised policy governing how parents and community members can challenge library books, but the 4-2 vote revealed deep divisions over concerns about censorship and protecting LGBTQ+ student identities.
Policy 652, which outlines the process for selecting and re-evaluating instructional and library materials, passed its second reading on October 22 with directors Tamara Grady and Chair Jackie Moscada Jones dissenting. The revised policy clarifies procedures for how parents and community members can request reviews of school library materials, whether through written or verbal requests.
The policy generated passionate public comment from community members on both sides. Supporters emphasized parental rights and the need for community input in school decisions, while opponents raised concerns about potential book banning and the removal of materials featuring LGBTQ+ characters and other diverse voices. Board members debated whether the policy's language could be used to target specific books based on political agendas.
Director Grady argued the policy could enable challenges targeting LGBTQ+ books, while Director Sarah Mitchell countered that the policy's inclusion of "district residents" reflects both historical practice and state law requiring community participation in school decisions. Director Thomas Brooks expressed disappointment that the policy had become politicized, stating the board must "defend all students, including LGBTQ+ students." Chair Moscada Jones noted the revised version made little substantive change from original practices and expressed sadness over the politicization of student identities.
The board also unanimously approved four other policy changes. Policies 432 and 640 were repealed because their content—teacher transfers and class size ratios—are now negotiated through collective bargaining agreements. Policy 441 on digital technology use was updated to emphasize responsible use rather than prohibitions, though one community member urged the board to reconsider removing language about online dangers. Policy 507 was updated to reflect new state legislation clarifying the roles of school resource officers in restraint practices.
The board also unanimously approved $993,854.39 in gifts and donations to the district with no discussion.
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Votes (6)
Second Reading of Policy 432: Teacher Involuntary Transfer Process (Proposed for Repeal)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Tamara Grady [1:20:21] · Seconded by Director Tanya Prince [1:20:21]
The General Counsel explained that this policy is being repealed because its content is now addressed within collective bargaining agreements, making the separate policy redundant.
Second Reading of Policy 441: Digital Technologies and Digital Systems Responsible Use (Proposed Edits)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Thomas Brooks [1:21:18] · Seconded by Director Tamara Grady [1:21:18]
The updates focused on defining responsible use rather than prohibitions. A community member during public comment expressed concern about the removal of sections related to online dangers and substantial language. A board member clarified that while the policy was updated, curriculum and other district measures still address responsible digital media use and potential dangers.
Second Reading of Policy 507: Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint (Statutory Updates)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Tamara Grady [1:22:42] · Seconded by Director Thomas Brooks [1:22:47]
The policy was updated to reflect new legislation clarifying the roles of school resource officers and which individuals are considered employees or agents of the district, particularly concerning prone restraint practices.
Second Reading of Policy 640: Class Size and Student Teacher Staffing Ratio (Proposed for Repeal)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Heather Douglas [1:23:24] · Seconded by Director Tanya Prince [1:23:24]
Similar to Policy 432, this policy is being repealed because the subject matter (class size and staffing ratios) is now negotiated through the collective bargaining process, rendering the standalone policy unnecessary.
Second Reading of Policy 652: Instructional and Library Material Selection and Re-evaluation (Revised after First Reading)
Dissent: Director Tamara Grady, Chair Jackie Moscada Jones
Moved by Director Thomas Brooks [1:28:36] · Seconded by Director Tanya Prince [1:28:44]
This policy generated significant discussion. General Counsel presented two versions, recommending the updated version (starting on page 286) which included clarifications on parent/guardian requests (written or verbal) and consistent ordering of community members for voicing concerns. Key updates to the procedure included a team approach for committee selection involving multiple directors and emphasis on diverse appointments. Several community members spoke passionately for and against book challenges, emphasizing parental rights, professional expertise of librarians, and concerns about censorship of diverse voices. Board members debated the policy's history, intent, and implications for community engagement and student identity. Director Grady argued against the 'political agenda' she perceived as targeting LGBTQ+ books and the role of any community member beyond parents in book challenges. Director Sarah Mitchell countered by highlighting the policy's historical inclusion of 'District residents' and the board's duty to uphold their rights, citing state statutes on community participation. Director Brooks expressed disappointment in the politicization of the policy, affirmed his support for community voices, and the need to defend all students, including LGBTQ+ students. Chair Moscada Jones noted little change from original practices and expressed a desire for more educator feedback, while expressing sadness over the politicization of student identities.
Approval of Gifts to the District
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Heather Douglas [1:53:23] · Seconded by Director Tanya Prince [1:53:30]
This item involved the approval of various financial gifts and donations to the district, totaling $993,854.39. There was no discussion or debate on this item.
Notable Quotes (18)
this policy is being proposed for repeal because this is addressed in collective bargaining agreements
the updates to this policy were done to reflect um what is responsible use what you should do versus all the prohibitions that were the main changes to the policy
this is the policy and there are procedures and we do have curriculum that teaches kids how to responsibly use digital media correct
I would just like you guys to relook at that because I think it's it's more talking about just queuing the kids in on the dangers of what can happen online
due to legislation uh clarifying um uh school resource officers and and um who is and is not a um employee or agent of the district we updated um um with the changes that you see
this is one we're also proposing for repeal because it is now negotiated through the collective bargaining process by Statute
a compromise to some folks um but I think it reflects a an improvement from where we have been it provides Clarity um we will be digitizing the form um you know making it more accessible
we did discover that there was a lack of accountability in place and as parents and myself as also a Community member this is one of our roles for students in our school district
if one wants to be guided by the overarching principle that more speech and sharing of ideas in the form of books or otherwise is fundamentally better why would we aim for Less speech and sharing of ideas in the form of community input
English teachers are taught that books can be mirrors or Windows for our students black children deserve to have access to books that are mirrors to books that affirm the experiences we're having the pain we're feeling and the joy we're cultivating
I think we all know which communities will suffer when diversity is challenged rather than acting as Gatekeepers of literature this board would be better served by trusting the certified professionals such as library media Specialists
every parent has the right to decide what their child reads they do not however have the the right to tell my child what they can read in the library based on their beliefs call what you will that's book Banning
schools are meant to be be a place of disagreement... and schools should be a place where we are exposing people to diversity of ideas diversity of experience diversity of the world
the issue at hand is what materials are is our school presenting to children and do we feel that those are appropriate to their age levels
what I object to is the political push since we pushed for for our district to recognize the humanity of LGBT St lgbtq students we've the rules of our board are to focus discussion on the merits of the policy
this is not a change to the policy I share this history because numerous stakeholders have been misled to believe that this policy has been newly developed to ban books particularly after the adoption of the LT lgbtqia plus resolution
the district was out in the community telling residents how important their role is and supporting the success of our district and Scholars as we had our hands out for money at that time and today it's being proposed that we give the exact opposite message to Residents that their voice doesn't matter in this process
I'm saddened that people's identity has been um politicized in general
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Instructional and Library Material Selection and Re-evaluation. Revised due to ongoing discussions about content appropriateness and accountability.
Teacher Involuntary Transfer Process. Proposed for repeal as covered by collective bargaining.
Digital Technologies and Digital Systems Responsible Use. Proposed edits to clarify responsible use.
Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint. Statutory updates to clarify roles of SROs and district agents.
Class Size and Student Teacher Staffing Ratio. Proposed for repeal as covered by collective bargaining.
School sponsored student publication and activities. New policy required by recent legislation regarding First Amendment rights for student journalists.
Discipline, Suspension and Dismissal of School District Employees. Reviewed and discussed edits.
Gifts to District Personnel. Reviewed and discussed edits.
Tutoring of Students. Reviewed and discussed edits.
Qualification of Personnel. Reviewed and discussed edits.
Workers Compensation. Proposed for repeal as it reiterates statutory requirement.
Student Cell Phone and Technology. Proposed edits and new procedures, seeking further feedback.
Requires school boards to establish an advisory committee for community participation in instructional and curriculum planning.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Student Board Representative Reports and School Highlights
Superintendent's Report and District Points of Pride
Revisions and Repeals of Various School Board Policies (400 and 500 Series)
Community Input on Policy 441 - Digital Technologies
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