Board of Education — March 12, 2024

Early transcript-only summary — no source links

This Redlands Unified School District board meeting was called to order with a roll call and approval of minutes from previous meetings. The primary focus was public comment regarding the retention or removal of certain books from school libraries, particularly high school libraries. The meeting featured extensive public commentary from community members, parents, educators, and concerned citizens presenting opposing viewpoints on whether sexually explicit books should remain in school libraries or be removed. No formal board discussion or voting on the book issue was documented in this transcript portion.

Key decisions

• Minutes from February 6, 2024 Special Board Meeting and February 13, 2024 Regular Board Meeting were approved by motion and second

Public comment

Public comment was divided between those requesting removal of books with sexually explicit content from school libraries and those opposing removal, citing intellectual freedom and student access to diverse perspectives. Those seeking removal characterized the books as pornographic and harmful to children, citing studies on pornography's effects and expressing concern about grooming and normalization of sexual abuse. Supporters of retention argued that existing opt-out procedures are sufficient, that removal creates unequal access, that diverse literature provides important mirrors and windows for students, and that book removal has a negative history. Several speakers emphasized parental choice and the role of librarians as professionals. Other topics raised included requests to name part of the stadium after teacher Glenn Johnson, concerns about Proposition 28 arts funding allocation, and questions about first-period tardiness and campus access issues at the high school.

Notable speakers

Tricia - parent advocating for book retention and trusting librarians, Michael Pazner - son of teacher, holding up The Bluest Eye to argue books are not dangerous, criticizing the real political agenda behind complaints, Megan Garcia - discussed mirrors and windows concept of literature and impact of book removal on marginalized students, Val Zavis - presented research claims about pornography's harmful effects on children and cited various studies, Felipe Albertao - read email from educator unable to attend, advocating for trusting librarians and opt-out procedures, Chris Clotis - retired teacher arguing for age-appropriate sexuality education and accurate American history teaching, Dale Broom - submitted most book complaints over one year period, detailed complaint process and requested board action, Candy Olson - argued for age-appropriate content standards and questioned effectiveness of opt-out system, Josephine Swanson - UC Riverside education student, product of RUSD schools, Paul Blatchley - high school parent raising concerns about stadium naming, parking, attendance, and Proposition 28 spending, Joshua Hall - argued that removing sexually explicit books is not book banning and addressed parental opt-out limitations, Dr. Heather Griggs - retired superintendent and current university faculty, historical perspective on text suppression, Jeanette Wilson - questioned why board allows pornographic materials and stated majority of constituents oppose books, Hillary Tabor - parent urging trust in librarians and support for parental choice, Lawrence Hebron - characterized material as pornographic and criticized staff for stocking such items, Samantha Trad - RUSD graduate whose education benefited from controversial books, advocated for separation of church and state and parental choice

Topics: School library book collection policies · Sexually explicit or graphic content in high school libraries · Book banning versus book removal · Parental rights and opt-out procedures · Age-appropriate content standards · Academic freedom and intellectual development · First Amendment and free speech · Student access to diverse literature · School safety and student welfare · Stadium naming request · Proposition 28 arts funding · Student attendance and parking issues · Well-rounded education requirements