PLANO, Texas — The topic of sexually explicit books was not on the Plano ISD agenda but that did not stop another packed boardroom with nearly 30 speakers on the topic.
A large contingent of Muslim-Americans has joined the fight in keeping sexually-explicit content off the shelves. Prior to Wednesday night's meeting, residents had raised concerns that "outside forces" were attempting to bully the school board.
"I find it ironic that so many of the speakers are not residents of our district," said Kelli Killion, a Plano ISD parent and educator, who does not support a ban on books. "Some of the books that have always been age-appropriate have been removed after the fact."
WFAA was told many of the Muslim-American parents who showed up to speak Wednesday night did have children in the district. A representative told WFAA their community is just now starting to hear about the book debate. The group feels strongly about removing the books.
"We should be aware and control what is being taught and what are children are being exposed to," said Khalid Ishaq, a parent to a former Plano ISD student.
Superintendent Theresa Williams sent out a letter to Plano families in October stressing the commitment to remove sexually-explicit content and to refine the review process.
Sources with the district told WFAA that, over the last year, 72 books have been requested for reconsideration. Of those 72 titles, five were not even in Plano ISD libraries. Sixty-five books have been removed from school shelves and two books have been retained. The district has a website that is cataloguing all of this.
Sources with the district told WFAA the rubric they use to review these books has tightened. Even the purchase of these books is now centralized, meaning all books have to be ordered through the central office. A committee is assigned to the books up for reconsideration. The committee is comprised of administrators, teachers, staff, and parents, according to the district.
On Wednesday night, the board also voted unanimously to continue their current practice of hiring support services personnel and not chaplains, as directed by Senate Bill 763.
More Texas headlines: