FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — On Monday night, Fort Bend ISD trustees got an earful from parents concerned about a new book policy that gives the superintendent more power over books available in school libraries.
The parents and students gathered before the meeting to voice their concerns while hoping the board would hear their pleas.
"What a shame," parent Angie Wierzbizki said.
The board ended up adopting the policy with a 5-2 vote.
Students were also upset with the policy.
"I do want to consider the hypocrisy restricting information while congratulating me for the design that advocated for openness of information," one student said.
The change will affect library and instructional material.
"Imagine my horror when I found out about what was on the agenda this evening," a parent said.
The change gives the superintendent, or an appointee, the power to decide if a book violates policy and remove it without any challenge.
"The superintendent has a lot on their plate and it would be very difficult for him to be reading all these books before making a decision," a parent said.
Under the previous policy, parents were able to schedule discussions with school staff, have materials reviewed by a committee and even appeal to the board if necessary.
"Just like parents have stated they do not want the government telling them whether to mask or not to mask their children, parents don't want one person to tell them what books are appropriate for their children to read," a parent said.
The students said they felt like the new policy was censorship.
"This is our primary place where we get books. I hope our trustees vote no," a student said.