School board hit with challenge to library books

Parent objects to process involved in registering objections.

Concerns about certain books allowed in Cherokee County School District libraries continue to be voiced to the Cherokee County Board of Education.

Parent Michelle Brown in the March board meeting noted the nine-step process involved in opposing a book’s placement, including the current wait time of November until the appeals committee can review the book.

Until November, the alleged offensive book can continue to be checked out by children, Brown said.

If one committee member objects to removing the book, it remains in the libraries, she said.

When board member Patsy Jordan objected to Brown reading a few sentences from one of the supposedly offensive books, Brown replied, “Don’t you find the irony in that? You’re saying exactly what I’m telling you. You’re giving it to our children.”

In reply, school board attorney Abigail Roach said, “The speaker is out of order.” But Brown was allowed to speak for 30 seconds more.

Brown concluded, “All this is happening under your watch. You’re embarrassing us and our kids. You are supposed to be giving them a safe space at school.”

In response to library book challenges during the February meeting, School Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower said, “It is not up to individual citizens, who make challenges, to determine what books other people’s children should have access to in school or what assignments teachers should give in classes.”

Hightower added: “Should a citizen disagree with the decision of the committee’s students, parents and educators who read and study the book or assignment, he or she can appeal to the School Board. The School Board members are elected to speak for all students, and they have the final say in these decisions.”

“These challenges are part of a national trend driven by special interest groups,” according to a school district statement.

For more information about the February and March meetings and videos, visit cherokeek12. net/content2/school-board-meeting-archives.