Texas school board votes to keep challenged books in elementary libraries against parents’ wishes

A Texas school board voted 6-1 to keep two trans-themed picture books in elementary school libraries.

The Denton Independent School District Board of Trustees decided to retain Jacob’s New Dress and Jacobs’s Room to Choose by Ian and Sarah Hoffman during the board meeting held on Feb. 27, the recording of which was oddly grainy and muffled.

Debbie Scaggs, who challenged the books, was represented by attorney Mitch Little of Citizens Defending Freedom during the board meeting.

“We’re seeking removal of this literature from Denton ISD schools, on the basis of lack of educational suitability,” Little said. “The Level 2 grievance in this case was decided upon Denton ISD’s selection guidelines, a connection with the Texas State Library and Archive Commission’s selection standards.”

Little argued the state provides a checklist which indicate what school districts are responsible for to ensure their school libraries adhere to Title 13 Texas Administrative Code Rule 4.2.  

In accordance with the rule, “a school library collection should include materials that are age appropriate and suitable to the campus and students it serves and include a range of materials.”  

The rule also enshrines parental rights, asserting “parents are the primary decision makers regarding their student’s access to library material.”  

Little told board members he wasn’t asking them to ban any books, but instead determine the books aren’t educationally suitable for children.  

“Denton ISD has a dress code, does it not?” Little asked. “It does. And unless cross-dressing children are allowed to cross-dress in Denton ISD elementary schools, this book is, by definition, educationally unsuitable.” 

The district’s dress code prohibits attire that “brings undue attention to the student and/or interferes with the educational/learning process.” 

“I am confident that Denton ISD would not put books in its libraries that encourage rule violations,” Little continued. “That includes Jacob’s New Dress and Jacob’s Right to Choose.”  

Little also pointed out the main character in the books, Jacob, uses a different restroom than his biological sex in the story. 

“I imagine it would be a violation of the rules for a Denton ISD student in an elementary school to use the restroom of the opposite gender,” Little said.  

“Students do not need to go to school to learn about cross-dressing. That is not the purpose of Denton ISD. Those are discussions for parents and students. Those are not discussions for teachers and students. Those are not discussions for librarians and students.” 

Following Little’s presentation, the overfilled room erupted with applause and a standing ovation from concerned parents. 

Lisa Thibodeaux, executive director of secondary curriculum in the district, argued that the two copies of the book located in the Newton Rayzor Elementary have only been checked out three times.  

She also argued school boards can’t declare any “ideas” unsuitable, regardless of reader’s age, when removing library books, according to state law. 

Several parents also spoke in opposition to the books, but did not persuade the board, which voted 6-1 to keep the books.