The Katy ISD School Board plans to discuss an EFB Local Policy revision on Monday, August 19, that will entirely prohibit library books in elementary school and junior high, that they believe "adopt, support or promote gender fluidity" and to require parental opt in, for high school students. The Board could vote on proposed changes as soon as Monday, August 26.

The proposed policy revision also includes a section that appears to target vendors and "fundraising partners" (likely Scholastic Book Fairs) by requiring them to adhere to Katy ISD's local board approved library policies- even if they are likely discriminatory and unconstitutional. Remember, those driving these ideological book bans, strongly prefer vendors with a Christian Nationalist bent like SkyTree Books. More on SkyTree Books by our co-founder Frank Strong, here. 

For the first time, Texas Freedom to Read Project has paired with EveryLibrary to survey Texas school board candidates about their positions on school book bans, the freedom to read, and the value of libraries and public schools in Texas. Surveys were sent to candidates for the May elections in the 150 largest school districts in Texas, as well as State Board of Education candidates. 60 replied; 22 filled out the survey completely. 

The survey reveals some deep divisions in the ways Texans approach restrictions on instructional materials and library books. But it also reflects a general consensus about the importance of libraries and librarians, a recognition that parental rights do not extend to limiting choices for all students, and a wariness towards certain methods and approaches to removing books from Texas schools. 

School board elections are often decided by less than 5% of registered voters in a district. If every single Texan who supports the freedom to read in Texas and opposes book bans showed up to vote, we could easily out vote the extremists responsible for the current tidal wave of bans.