Board of Plano school district implements committee for suggesting library books
School Library Advisory Councils Introduced in Plano ISD and Other Districts
School Library Advisory Councils (SLACs) are being established in Plano ISD, Coppell ISD, and Denton ISD, aiming to provide local guidance and oversight on school library materials and catalogs. The purpose of these councils is to ensure that the selection and management of library resources meet educational standards and reflect community input, including parental rights regarding library content.
These councils, as mandated by the Texas Legislature's 2025 legislation, are typically composed of diverse stakeholders such as school district administrators and librarians, teachers, parents or guardians, and community members. These members work collaboratively to review and advise on library materials and catalog policies to support educational goals and respect community values.
Trustee Sam Johnson, a member of the Plano ISD school board, supports the inclusion of families and community experts in library decisions, as long as it's permitted by the law. Johnson values the current process where librarians recommend books for school libraries but finds merit in community input.
One of the recent laws that allow for the creation of SLACs is Senate Bill 13, which is one of several "parental rights" bills passed during the recent legislative session. However, exact membership details for each district's council may vary.
While Trustee Michael Cook expressed concerns about the new council, fearing potential biases among the advisors, the specific nature of his concerns was not detailed in the provided information.
It's important to note that the final decision on library materials in Plano ISD lies with the school board, as per the district's policy. Plano ISD already has a book challenge process that allows parents to participate.
Adding a SLAC in Plano ISD could introduce significant delays, according to Jennifer Reagan, a Plano ISD parent. She argued that a small group of parents without expertise may not adequately evaluate the volume of books the district considers adding each year.
Coppell and Denton ISDs have also voted to create library advisory councils. However, the article does not provide information on whether other school districts, apart from Plano, Coppell, and Denton, are considering creating library advisory councils.
In summary, the SLACs serve to advise school districts on library materials and catalogs with input from parents and community stakeholders, aiming to balance educational needs and parental rights as per recent Texas state legislation. The exact composition of each district's council may vary, and the specific concerns of Trustee Michael Cook regarding the School Library Advisory Council in Plano ISD were not detailed in the provided information.
[1] Source: [Link to the original article or legislation]
The School Library Advisory Councils (SLACs), established in Plano ISD, Coppell ISD, and Denton ISD, also aim to contribute to the education-and-self-development sector by ensuring that library resources are consistent with both educational standards and community values. These education-focused councils, consisting of various stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community members, strive to provide news and guidance on school library materials and catalog policies.
