Seminole schools allows explicit book readings in meeting, avoids immediately pulling from shelves

SANFORD, Fla. – The Seminole County School Board allowed dozens of public speakers to continue reading sexually explicit books, which let the board avoid being forced to immediately pull the material from school shelves.

A new Florida law forces school boards to pull books from the shelves if they shut down a parent from reading the material out loud due to content that is “pornographic” or “harmful to minors.”

For example, the Indian River School Board removed several books from its shelves after the board stopped parents from reading sexually explicit passages during an Aug. 28 board meeting.

But Seminole County took a different course of action Tuesday.

The group Moms for Liberty organized dozens of speakers to read materials from books during its meeting; however, this school board did not shut down the readings.

Following public comment, board member Amy Pennock said the school district is working hard to make sure it is following the law with regards to materials.

“I thank everyone for coming out and being respectful and sharing each of your perspectives. That is our duty to listen to you and I appreciate you taking your time to come out,” Pennock said.

Board member Kelley Davis said she wants to “listen to every side” and “absorb” all sides of the argument.

“There was passion in reading those excerpts even though they were not necessarily in context or not appropriate. I understood why some of you felt that you needed to read those so we understood where you’re coming from,” Davis said.

“And then we had other people who spoke about the value in these books and how it affected people’s lives and how they still think there’s a reason they are necessary in school, and I understood that perspective now,” Davis explained.

Board member Autumn Garick noted how the district had cataloged and reviewed nearly one million books. Garick said she had not received a complaint from a parent in her district who wanted a book reviewed or removed.

“As it was said yesterday by a very esteemed educator, not all laws are good. And as board members we don’t get a say in which laws we think are good or bad. It’s up to us to uphold our constitutional duty to abide by the laws, create policy that provides for excellence in education,” she said.

“I am happy to make sure that we are diligent in our process. It is the law that we follow certain guidelines for books and materials in our schools,” Garick said.