001Um, let's see. I'm going to call us to order. Um, it's We don't have the prayer on here, but I'll go ahead. We can go ahead and do it, right? >> All right. We'll go ahead and Sierra, if you'll lead us in our invocation, please. Heavenly Father, we just thank you for allowing us to be here this evening as we prepare to um do the business here for our students, Lord, for our community, um for our teachers. Father, we just ask that you be with us as we make these decisions, Lord. Um we've got fun festivities coming up this week and we just ask that your hands be over them. Protect these boys as they get ready for football Friday. Lord, thank you for all that you do and we just praise you for all
002that you have done and what you will do. Lord, it's in Jesus Christ's name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> All right. So, this is a workshop uh to discuss the school library advisory council, the Slack. Uh, and because it's a workshop, uh, I we've got some folks in the audience, and if you have questions or comments or want to, uh, participate, you're more than welcome to to do so. Uh, but I will turn it over to Mr. Dyer and we will go ahead and get started. Okay. So we have a new house bill SB13 and it requires it's a slack committee. So they have to do a review of any challenges that we have when it comes to any kind of books in our school. So we have our first step is we have
003to have uh members. So we have to have a nomination basically that represents each school board member. That's the first thing. Then we have to have teachers, librarians, and so forth. So we have to start with that group. So right now we have four people, excuse me, five cuz uh Alec gave me one today. Uh we have Katherine Mallet who's volunteered. We have Alice, Miss Brock, uh Miss Henry's here, and then Justin Perkins will probably here a little bit later. I've asked him if he would like to serve and he said he would love to. So right now the duties are kind of >> Donald uh who would you send >> Donberg and Donna Bberg is the one that he sent you sent me today. Um so right now we don't have a lot of
004guidelines from the state but we do know that we have to have at least two meetings a year and that we have to have this committee formed prior to any challenges. And so that's our first step is to get this taken care of. So I would like to go ahead and talk about the members. We have a couple here tonight. Um and so we have five. We we're looking for at least two more. Okay. So, I really want to include Miss Brock and Miss Henry in the conversation. If y'all would kind of move up. U you don't have to be here the whole time. It's not like Baptist Church. >> Just Well, we want to include you so you kind of hear what we're talking about. So, >> so now this this includes any library
005book or any readings that a teacher does like if it's a Red Fern grows uh somebody challenges it then basically it's going to go to the committee and they're going to have to they have to review the all the the material in its entirety not just the little blurb. So you have to read the whole like if it's a book like we'll just say read for you're going to be required to read that book in x amount of days to to be able to have an opinion. then they will meet. Uh we'll go through our guidelines of what what we're supposed to do and then it's I'm assuming it's voted on on a majority vote is kind of way I'm I'm leaning and then once they do that then the the u the uh response
006is written to the parent and then I'm assuming if they don't like it they're probably going to file a grievance u because that's usually the way things go. All right. So, do y'all have any questions of what y'all I'll answer as many questions I can far as duties, but right now we don't have a whole lot other than reviewing the material. >> When I I Googled it and looked at it, so I know a little something. And it's my understanding that if a parent has a complaint about a book, like you said, the committee reviews the book and if the book is approved by the committee, then it cannot be brought up again for >> it's a couple years. Yeah, it's a timeline >> years or something like that. So, I wanted to make sure
007that that was >> I think that's in the law, but I would think that they would probably file a grievance because it I don't think it said >> it go beyond us. If they file a grievance, who do they file it with? >> The school board. >> That's what I'm assuming, but I don't know that. I know you can file agreements pretty much on anything, but the committee once they make their decision, then the decision is the decision. >> Yeah. Does each person have to read that? Everybody that's on the committee, they have to they have to review the material in its entirety. And that >> not only the book, but any teaching materials. Is that what you're saying? Teaching materials along. >> Not teaching materials. If they're reading like a novel, uh, Withering Heights
008is one I can think of. Then if there's something in there, you've got a we'd have to go and go through the whole thing. And that's pretty pretty extensive book. That That's my understanding when they say review the material in its entirety. >> Okay. So that doesn't include any instructional material that the teacher might use >> to teach that book. It's just the book itself, not >> that's our understanding. Now, >> yes. Now, that would be a good question because if you're bringing in some kind of outside material that may be controversial to the book, then that probably would get reviewed, I would think. >> I mean, there are a lot of teachers I didn't even see that, you know, that might publish teaching material to go along with the books. And so, I just
009wondered if those Mr. Fer, if you're going to talk, you got to come up here and get close to a mic. >> I was going to say, I believe that also includes any teacher libraries as well. >> Correct. >> Yes, it does. >> English teachers that have several books, too. >> So, I mean, my understanding though is it does not include having to to review the entirety of the existing libraries, only new things that come in and as we have a a challenge. correctly that I wasn't clear on. >> Yeah. Now, >> they they could they could tell me that I am wrong in the way I read it. You know, the lawyers are going to tell us how we're going to do it at the end of the day within the guidelines that they
010set out. >> Okay. So, if we'll look at number three, >> Mr. Glass, why am I not up? >> That that is a lovely picture. [Music] >> I only I've got I've got >> pretty good scoring. off what >> extended screen. >> Oh, somebody moved that last time. >> Look at that. >> Okay, so number three. Is that going away? There we go. >> Number three. >> Yeah, number three. Right there. >> No, >> but does does not include >> instructional material. Yep. >> Wait, are you going to 13 or you going to three? >> Line 10. Start at line 10. >> Okay. Three. Okay. Number three. >> Paragraph three, not line. >> 10. >> Line 10. >> Oh, line 10. Okay. >> Start there. >> Ebook record. >> So, we'll have to look at
011the definition. What is it by 31.02? >> And then then that I guess that we'll find out if that actually fits in there. Everybody in school today. The uh the Texas Library Association does have a good breakdown right now because there's going to be specific forms that TEA is going to require that have to be used when there's a challenge. But it does say that council duties include recommending to the school board policies and procedures for purchasing library materials consistent with local community values, whether materials are grade level appropriate, agreements or strategies for collaboration between the school district and local public libraries, um the removal of library material the council determines to be harmful for containing indecent or profane content that is inconsistent with local community values and policies and procedures for processing challenges and
012action to be taken by the district in response to challenges. So there will be it looks like there's going to be quite a bit >> especially at the beginning >> in the beginning. Yes. >> But >> so if a teacher decides to buy to purchase a book for her personal classroom or for the library and I'd even go to say if somebody maybe the owner of the book fair decides to buy a book. >> Yes. to contribute to our library or a teachers, then that book would have to be reviewed, correct? By the committee >> or through the policy that they that that they create. I don't know that they're necessarily the ones that have to review that every single but they will come up with policy, >> right? >> Yeah. the challenge you do,
013but the the review of a new material, you know, you don't have to do that, but you'll come up with a policy by which it is reviewed. >> Correct. >> So, like before that teacher were to purchase or accept a donated book, it would need to approve through that policy. >> Is that is that kind of what y'all think? That's >> Well, it says acquiring library materials here. The school board must adopt a policy for acquiring library materials, including purchasing and the receipt of donated materials. The board must make the list of materials proposed to be purchased or donated to the library for public view for 30 days before final approval and then approve all library materials proposed to be purchased or donated to the school library in an open meeting considering the advice and
014recommendation of that commit council. >> Yeah. >> Once established. >> So, I mean it sounds like we will be limiting Mhm. >> purchasing and and >> put donations >> to like once or twice a year so that they can be >> reviewed in a >> aggregated and put out there at the same time. Got >> per whatever policy, you know, is recommended. I mean, we we obviously can't can't every time. Yes. >> I have two questions. one with what y'all are speaking to right now if folks are donated especially when I think of maybe teachers coming into like lower elementary if we're understandably maybe having to limit donation because that's going to make a tremendous amount of leg work and paperwork that puts those young teachers in a bind you think of how much it
015takes to like create libraries like what would be the workound there >> the the workaround would be to donate things that have already been approved Yes, that's Oh, that >> Yeah, you you'll have an approved list or they can go buy them. >> Yeah. And then secondly, back on where you said number three, it says the instructional materials don't count >> for this committee because they're already reviewed by other people. >> For this committee, instructional materials don't count don't count. What if a teacher were to pull parts from Flowers for Alma or the Crucible or whatever something that might cause a stir but it's instructional like you know you pull what you want and >> so we'll have to go to that that subsection 3102 to find out what what it is. >> Okay. >>
016Cuz if you'll read right there >> does not include instruction material as defined. So it had it doesn't fall in that definition then it would be one wouldn't use it. >> But but there is also already a a section of of uh the Texas Education Code that allows parents to view and and um uh challenge instructional materials. So it it I I I I think that if I think in this situation, it's like we don't have to recreate the wheel here for instructional materials cuz there's already a method by which if you have a concern with an instructional material, it's handled. >> Yes, ma'am. >> This is both li >> Yes, ma'am. And and teacher classroom libraries. >> Yeah. That that's the that's the hard part, you know, because we were talking before this even
017passed. How do you even, >> you know, because the teachers are going to have to at some point have a catalog of what their library is so that it can, >> you know, so that we know what's approved and not approved. And the good thing about Iowa, we're not starting where we've buyed thousands and thousands of books unseen and un. We've been very conservative over the last 25 years that I know of because I know who the librarian was. And she didn't allow a lot of that stuff to get in to begin with. Yeah. So, us getting a challenge is probably going to be something new that we probably I don't know, maybe got by the filter because we filter them pretty well. What what I did not understand until all this happened and and
018Audrey Young, our state board of education member, explained this to me is that a lot of the big districts go to the go to the uh publishers and say, "We're going to spend $8,000 per campus on new books this year. We want a good mix of topics and class. Just send them to us." A and they have no >> They're not. they have nothing to vet beyond >> no >> uh beyond you know whatever the so I mean that's why last uh session the rule actually came out that they were they were putting the um the onus of of what if it was an appropriate topic or not on the publisher not the school you tell us you if this is, you know, sexually explicit or whatever. And my understanding is that got held up
019in court, but you know, um, we don't do that, you know, right? I mean, we don't say just send us whatever you're going to send us, you know. So, >> are very conservative. >> So, I don't think we're going to have a ton of work going through, you know, challenges. I I I just don't think but there will be work up front getting you know reading what the lawyers recommend and you know I I think most of the people on that list were educators you know so I mean we we have the benefit of you know y'all's experience >> so let me let me give you my experience I was high school principal for 10 years this my fifth year superintendent one challenge and it was it upheld because of the content of literature We
020said >> I didn't figure it. >> Yeah. So now that's not to say that we won't have one tomorrow. >> I was here 20 years. I taught 28 years there and I'll never >> Okay. >> People are different now. That That's a That's a pretty good statement. >> Well, the literature is different now, too. >> What does the flashing mean? >> That means you're probably fixed to go out, too. because you know we ran these during those um >> during the during the meetings. >> Yes. The bond the facilities meetings. >> Okay. So that's why they're probably all going to drop. We ran them. We've run a whole bunch. >> So does does anybody else have any questions or comments? Board members, >> I noticed in there it's talking about the uh catalog. Where are
021we at on the software for the >> I don't know that we've done anything. >> Haven't made us haven't made a move on that yet. >> I mean, we weren't 100% sure that it was going to pass in in in what form until it actually did, you know. So, it's kind of hard to get a jump on that, but I mean, >> do we have a time frame >> uh to have the cataloges? I I don't think there's a time frame associated with the law at all. Is there Sierra? Um >> I just remembered that >> we have to have that library development standards have to be done by April 1st of 2026. >> Okay. Okay. >> So I mean there there are plenty of free cataloges. I mean I use one for my personal
022library that you know so that when I go to the uh bookstore I don't buy the same book over and over again. You know uh >> I've set up a free book for myself to test one out. >> What is it that you're using? source. >> Okay. I use lib >> and then I have a I have two scanners and stickers so we can mark. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you, sir. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, if we add Miss Burke, so we're at five. >> Is that correct? >> Yeah. >> Um, who who has not uh recommended somebody? >> Red and Brian. >> So, we we got to have at least seven. >> All right. I've got Melissa. I've mentioned it to her as well. Byron's way. >> Okay. Did she >> But but she
023didn't I I didn't know to tell her what all was in until I can still feel her in. >> All right. So, we're still taking nominations. >> Yeah. And if not, I don't know how, you know, I guess Mr. Fowler will be our guy. [Laughter] So, >> any other questions? >> Remind me what are the requirements? Are there requirements for them to be on it? >> Yeah. Just >> live in the district, right? >> Be they've got to like they've got to like literature because, you know, and I'm I'm going to be honest with you. I struggled >> trying to find a male because I'm going through every person I go with, they don't want to spend their time reading. Now, I might talk a doctor into something maybe, possibly, but I don't know. Uh,
024but the the male gender just doesn't put a lot of emphasis on having to read a library book. Okay. Uh, I did talk to Justin Burkus. He said, "Man, I love a good argument." I said, "Great." >> Well, hopefully there's not a good argument in this. >> Well, but it's the controversial part that I think you like. >> Miss Brock's going, "What you What are you putting on here? though. I mean, so we got we got to come up with at least two more names and then we sent out an email to both principles and we got to start putting the the school >> faculty members. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. >> Parents. >> Well, uh I'll have to look at that. >> It says majority must be parents not employed by IS. >> Yes.
025>> Yeah. >> Right now I need I need nominations from these guys. Yes, sir. >> Does it have to be what are the parameters? This doesn't agree much history. >> I think they have to be >> I think they have to live. I thought it saw that. >> Yeah. Probably >> but if they're employees they can be that and >> correct >> there's voting members and non voting does not live in the district. >> Ma'am, if you're a retired employee that doesn't >> I forgot about that. >> You live two miles out of the district, don't you? Well, >> well, you're welcome to serve at North Zulch. >> So, that says voting members at least five with each board member appointing equal number. Majority must be parents not employed by ISD. Non- voting optional members
026certified staff, community, and clergy. >> So, you can be community and clergy. >> We got you. >> Got you covered. >> I think I've been part of this. >> Yep. >> Yeah. You've been part of this community for a long time. >> We say that, >> but I mean it's I agree. >> I I think there's going to be some work up front and then I think it'll be >> I hope fairly easy after that. >> Maybe a once to twice a year. >> But like like you said, you you never you never know what somebody's going to >> try to try to complain about. I'm going to hit you. >> So, I mean, it wasn't that long ago people were trying to get rid of Harry Potter. >> So, >> all right. Any other
027questions, board members? >> Thank y'all for being here. >> Thank you'all for anything else from the from the audience? >> All right. So, um >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> Thank you ladies. Thank you so much. I will uh uh entertain uh a motion to adjurnn the >> so move >> second uh all in favor just just so you know uh we did not put on the on the agenda immediately following so we'll be taking a 9mm minute break. So all in favor please raise your hand. >> Coach are you in favor of adjourning? All right any oppose? All right that's unanimous. So guys, we're going to take a a 9m minute break until 6:30 where we can start our regular meeting.