After vote, Bible still allowed in Palm Beach County public schools

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (FLV) – The Bible is staying put in Palm Beach County public schools.

In a unanimous vote, school board members voted in agreement to uphold the Bible’s place on school book shelves.

“It’s clear to me Rabbi Silver’s appeal is intended to send a message about the slippery slope of the perils of book banning,” Burke said. “I am not comfortable banning a book to make a point or send a message.”

It’s the only book to date in the district to have its vulnerability tested.

According to a WPTV article, the vote stemmed from a motion filed by local civil rights activist and rabbi Barry Silver to remove the book. However, Silver intent was to send a message, rather than see the book erased permanently.

Silver reportedly cites the Bible’s sexual content as reasoning for its ousting. He said other books have been subjected to the same standard and scrutiny in school districts across the state.

“The Bible is at the top of the list of every category established by the governor and Florida Legislature for banning books,” said Silver.

The objection was spurned by Palm Beach County Superintendent Mike Burke and eventually by the whole Palm Beach County School Board. A small group of dissenters outside of the school also congregated in support of the book, according to the outlet.

Amid the ruling, the news outlet said Silver plans to direct legal action to the state.

While Palm Beach Public Schools hasn’t reportedly pulled any material, other school districts have. Moms For Liberty, a grassroots organization that advocates against school curriculum, has successfully overseen the removal of other books across the state.

For example, five books were removed in Leon County, including “Doomed” and “Dead End”.