Publishers flagged 150 books within the Georgetown High School library catalog as “mature-adult themes.” Going forward, these books will not be eligible by the publisher to order for any ISD or campus based on the age level.
As a proactive approach, Georgetown ISD has initiated a review committee to comply with state and district policies comprised of librarians, staff, parents, and community members. This committee review for literary merit can take up to 60 days, and if books not eligible for reorder but already on the shelf are found to have literary merit, they will remain in the library on the shelf and in the catalog.
The district announced it has reviewed around 30 books and put them back on the shelf.
This process follows EFB Legal, rooted in the Texas Administrative Code 13 TAC 4.2. EFB Legal mandates such committees for the reconsideration process, requiring a “thorough & fair” review within a reasonable time frame.
It requires libraries to evaluate library materials for age appropriateness and prohibits “sexually explicit” or “harmful content” as defined by Texas Penal Code 43.24. GISD’s collection development policy reinforces this, tasking librarians with ensuring materials meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, known as TEKS.
Only one GISD librarian is challenging this process.
An Austin American-Statesman article published in March claims that Susan Cooper, a GHS librarian, is facing termination for refusing to remove 150 books.
But Superintendent Dr. Devin Padavil has stated that there is “no intent of firing the librarian.” So he has no intention of holding her accountable.
Regardless, Cooper’s stance is an outlier and NOT a district-wide crisis. It also distracts from real issues that are affecting students’ safety.
A student at the middle school level was sexually assaulted off school property by other students, and the perpetrators were let back into the victim’s classroom or campus. The school took no action; the perpetrators were eventually arrested by Georgetown police.
A mother alleged a teacher assaulted her 11-year-old daughter. Only after public outcry did the school board terminate the teacher.
A fourth-grade male student “fondled” a female schoolmate.
Now, Cooper’s non-compliance stands, yet she faces no consequences.
The community outrage is misplaced. We should be demanding accountability for the district being slow to act, not rallying to shield someone who refuses to follow policy.
GISD must address inconsistencies in policy enforcement and state law. As a parent, I want a district that prioritizes my children’s and the community’s children’s safety over selective leniency.
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