Dozens of North Texas parents rallied in McKinney on Saturday to bring attention to what they call pornography being ignored in Texas schools, and to make local residents aware it’s happening in McKinney Independent School District.
“Sadly, many still do not know,” McKinney resident Kyle Sims told Texas Scorecard. “The school board has acted very defiant and seems to not believe this is an issue.”
It’s a fight that’s been playing out in school districts across the state.
For months, McKinney parents have been urging their school board and superintendent to remove scores of sexually explicit library books that are inappropriate for underage kids to access at school.
A majority of trustees have stonewalled parents, claiming they can’t take action on obscene books until parents go through a lengthy process outlined in board policies.
Yet officials in other districts have reviewed and removed library books deemed “pervasively vulgar” or educationally unsuitable, following a policy on library materials common to all Texas school districts.
On the other side of the issue are people who contend students are entitled to have access to any books they want within their taxpayer-funded school libraries.
At the rally, McKinney father and local activist Stephen Kallas spoke with people on both sides.
In a podcast following the event, Kallas warned parents against NIMBY syndrome—failing to get involved because they think the problem is “not in my backyard.”
“I’m here to tell you this is all in your backyard,” Kallas said. “This stuff is going on in every local school district.”
“We will be attending all the school board meetings with residents who want to speak and call this to light,” Sims added.
Organizers of Saturday’s rally say more are planned to keep raising public awareness and motivating school officials to take action.
