Stories from Deep in the Heart of Texas: Nacogdoches ISD
NISD community members respond to the district's decision to ban 100+ library books based on an emailed complaint by a political activist.
The Daily Sentinel reported on May 8, 2025 that the district placed over 100 high school library books behind a "parent opt-in" restricted section of the library, after being contacted by a political activist and known book banning bully. Book banners have been sending intimidating emails containing hundreds of book titles they falsely claim are "illegal under HB 900" to school districts for the past year.
Email obtained by Texas Freedom to Read Project via a Public Information Request.
The list of 140 titles sent by the complainant (who does not live in or have children attending Nacogdoches ISD public schools), includes frequently challenged and banned modern works such as The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, Flamer by Mike Curato and Beyond Magenta by Susan Kulkan. It also includes classics such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Native Son by Richard Wright, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.
Texas Freedom to Read cofounder, Frank Strong, goes into more detail about the emailed complaint, and the book list on his Substack, Anger & Clarity.
On May 15, 2025, a group of 10 Nacogdoches ISD community members that included parents, residents, and students took to their local board meeting to speak out against their school district's decision to restrict access to over 100 high school library books based on an emailed complaint and a book list sent by someone who doesn't even live there.
Listen to what Dr. Heather Olson Beal, a parent of NISD graduates and a current resident had to say.
You can see what the NISD interim superintendent had to say about the District's actions, and listen to the entire public comment portion of the May 15 NISD Board Meeting here.
Take Action: Email the Nacogdoches ISD School Board.
Here's a transcript of Dr. Olson Beal's public comment:
Good evening. My name is Dr. Heather Olson Beal. I'm a parent of 3 NHS grads, a local homeowner, a taxpayer, and an education faculty member at SFA. I'm here to address the recent decision to restrict access to books at the behest of someone who doesn't live here and doesn't pay taxes here. In so doing, the district ignored your own board-approved policy, and yes, the state law has been enjoined, so that is not a problem here . . . your own board policy for reviewing library materials. Then, when students shared photos of restricted books on social media, you didn't clearly explain what happened or why. You dodged the public's questions. You prevaricated. You sowed seeds of doubt and mistrust.
As someone who prepares teachers, I can tell you these decisions have ripple effects. They increase pressure and fear among educators. We have a statewide teacher shortage. My students are watching every day how this district and other districts across the state treat teachers, students, and families when they're deciding where they want to work. Your actions send a clear message to future teachers: don't come here. We won't support you, and we won't support your students.
I have read the entirety of 45 of these restricted books. They are not dangerous or obscene. They are award winning, age-appropriate books written by respected authors. I conducted an initial content analysis of the restricted books. 45 of 142 of them--about a third--are written by authors of color and/or address race and racism. 36 out of 142 are written by LGBTQ+ authors and or address LGBTQ+ themes. These numbers reveal a troubling pattern. Nearly 60% of the now restricted books represent diverse perspectives from communities that have historically, here and elsewhere, been silenced and marginalized. This is not random, this is bigotry, pure and simple, masquerading as “protecting” our children. These books were carefully chosen by a skilled, longtime, experienced, highly credentialed librarian. Removing them does real harm, and sends a clear message to our kids about whose stories and experience this district values.
A large body of peer reviewed research shows that LGBTQ+ students with affirming adults, inclusive books and safe schools show better mental health, better attendance and higher academic achievement, and that they are less likely to be depressed and to consider suicide. Disproportionately targeting and restricting these books tells vulnerable youth: you don't belong here. Shame on every single person who had a hand in that.
We have a choice. Do we want to be a district that embraces and supports all students, or one that harms those who are already vulnerable? Do we want to be a district that caters to outsiders’ demands, or one that listens to community members?
Our students, our teachers, and our community deserve better from all of you. Do better.
About Texas Freedom to Read Project
Texas Freedom to Read Project is a 501c3 parent-founded, parent-led nonprofit organization. Texas Freedom to Read Project supports, connects, and mobilizes parent and community led initiatives fighting for student rights and against censorship and book bans in Texas. There are over 1200 public school districts in Texas- many with stories to tell. If you'd like to share a story about censorship or book bans happening in your Texas public school district, or public community library system, please email us.