The Greenville Independent School District on Tuesday approved three amendments to the district’s policy regarding library materials. The Greenville Herald-Banner reported that new provisions include the creation of a “reconsideration committee” to review materials if the presence of those materials are challenged by a parent. This committee would include at least one teacher familiar with the item in question. The amendments were approved by a 5-2 vote. Board members Anne Haynes, Aletha Kruse, Mike Rackley, Bonnie-Jean Stewart, Tish Woodruff voted in favor of the new policies, while Roger Livingston and Trena Stafford voted against the amendments.
The Herald-Banner reports the changes bring Greenville ISD policy in line with recommendations published by the Texas Education Agency in April. Last year, Texas governor Greg Abbott urged the TEA to remove materials the governor’s office deems “pornographic.” A recent study by the first amendment advocacy organization PEN America said that Texas bans more books than any state and that the banning of books is on the rise.