Davis School Board Ignores Character Development in Library Books

On September 17, 2013, The Davis County School Board took a preliminary vote on a brand new board policy. The policy, 4I-202 School Library Media Centers, defines the factors to be considered in deciding which books will be added to school libraries and who will make the final decision on inclusion.

The proposed policy names 11 factors to be considered in deciding whether to add a book to the collection of a school library. Those factors include the following:

a. support of curriculum;

b. developmental/maturity level of students;

c. format;

d. accuracy;

e. timeliness;

f. reliability;

g. provision of balanced views;

h. recreation needs of students;

I. linguistic pluralism for both English language learners and foreign language programs;

j. literary quality; and

k. quality of illustrations.

However, it does not include a book's value in character development as one of the factors to be considered. This is in spite of a Utah state law passed in 2004 and revised in 2006 which requires that public schools in Utah educate public school students in citizenship and character development.

I tried to amend the proposed policy to include “character development” as an additional factor to be considered. Unfortunately, my amendment was rejected and the original wording was approved by a vote of 4-3. Board President Tamara Lowe cast the deciding vote after Barbara Smith, Kathie Bone, and David Lovato voted against the amendment. Burke Larsen, Larry Smith and I voted in favor of including “character development”.

The Board also considered who will then decide which books go into the school library. The proposed policy grants that authority to each School Library Media Specialist. Final approval for adding a book is then placed in the hands of the Assistant Superintendent over Curriculum and Instruction. But, Peter Cannon suggested that a School Library Media Specialists only provide a recommended list of books to be added to a school library. The elected School Community Council for that school could then vote to grant or deny final approval of the books on the recommended list.

Board member, Barbara Smith argued that School Community Councils currently only have authority to recommend local school matters and should not be granted final decision authority in this matter. I responded by citing the board-approved fourth Davis School District strategic target which calls for stakeholder involvement by including all segments of the community as partners in the education process. I emphasized that partners have real authority in making decisions.

Six board members voted to adopt the policy as it was originally proposed. I cast the lone vote to give school community councils final decision authority on the inclusion of books in school libraries. The board is scheduled to vote on final approval of the new policy at its October 1 meeting.