Book battle continues in Manatee County
Reported by Kimberly Quizon
bradenton, florida – The Manatee County School District is reviewing 30 books that were removed from the school library after being submitted by three community members.
“There was some confusion in the teacher’s classroom library as there are many already vetted and approved books. They were purchased with district funds and should not be removed or abandoned. They What they brought in was their own personal stuff. That’s the only thing that matters,” superintendent Cynthia Sanders said.
A Media Specialist is working with the Principal to review the offending material.
Volunteers are being asked to help educators inspect classroom libraries to determine if a book is okay under House Bill 1467.
“If every book on the shelf had gone through a proper vetting process, I don’t think we would have made it here,” said board member Cynthia Spray.
A book in the Manatee County school library.
At this time, if we cannot agree on the book, it will be taken to the school board for a decision.
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The school district said there was chaos earlier this week, with teachers covering up the entire classroom library.
Books are vetted by volunteers and educators to ensure compliance with House Bill 1467.
The board said many of the books in those classrooms have already been vetted.
You will need to ensure that materials from donations, books given to you by past educators, etc., are included on the approved list.
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School Board Chair Chad Chote said, “We found that less than 1% of the books we reviewed were deemed inappropriate, so we thought we were building a mountain out of a molehill. I will.”
The Manatee County Board of Education plans to vote on the review process by mid-February.
Choate went on to say that he doesn’t think it’s a problem in the Manatee County classroom library, but he thinks a few books probably slipped through.
He believes House Bill 1467 is working to protect Manatee County students.
Teachers covered books in the classroom after confusion over which books were allowed.
“I don’t think this is a school district-wide problem. We’re full of all these books and materials that are absolutely ridiculous. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get rid of the bad stuff. I don’t. So tell me,” he said.
The Manatee County Board of Education plans to vote on the review process by mid-February.
