A Denton mom and grandmother is escalating her fight to keep inappropriate books out of her local elementary school libraries, and she’s gaining support from grassroots activists and a prominent Republican lawyer.
Debi Scaggs raised her children in Denton Independent School District, and now her grandchildren attend school in the district.
Last year, Scaggs challenged several elementary school library books that promoted “transgender” ideology to young children.
The district removed three of the books Scaggs challenged but kept books about a boy who wears dresses to school, Jacob’s New Dress and Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah Hoffman.
Scaggs contends these books are educationally unsuitable and do not meet the new Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) collection development standards for school libraries.
The new TSLAC standards were part of legislation passed last year to protect school children from sexually explicit and age-inappropriate content.
According to Citizens Defending Freedom, a non-profit group that organizes citizens at the county level to engage in local government, the district’s decision to retain the books has fueled Scaggs’ determination to seek resolution through the grievance process.
CDF notes Scaggs and many other concerned parents “would simply like Denton ISD to encourage children to learn subjects like math and english, while leaving the issue of ‘dress up’ to parents.”
Denton County dad and trial lawyer Mitch Little is partnering with CDF to represent Scaggs and try to convince the school board to remove the books.
“Why are these books in Denton ISD elementary schools?” Little asked on social media.
Little, who defended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during his impeachment trial, is also running in the Republican primary to represent House District 65.
Scaggs and CDF are encouraging families in Denton ISD who are concerned about the inclusion of these books in elementary school libraries to attend the upcoming school board meeting on Tuesday, February 27, starting at 6 p.m.
Community members can also contact their elected school board trustees via email.