EFB: Instructional Resources: Library Materials

Conroe ISD's Policy EFB governs the selection, acquisition, and oversight of library materials in district schools.

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These are unofficial tracked changes based on board meeting records and may contain errors. Consult official CISD records for the authoritative text. This is an independent constituent resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by Conroe ISD.

Local Changes (3)

2026-07-21first_reading · Meeting notes

This update to EFB (LOCAL) comprehensively restructures Conroe ISD's library materials policy by adding new definitions for "library materials" and "Subject Persons," creating a Superintendent-led collection development framework with a designated district-level library supervisor, establishing Board approval and public review processes for library materials, formalizing parental opt-out and checkout record requirements, replacing the old "School Library Selection Process" section with streamlined Board-level evaluation procedures, creating two distinct appeal tracks for Board decisions and District actions, and moving the Superintendent compliance certification deadline from February 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 while removing several previously proposed sections that were consolidated or reorganized.

Added

  • for use or display, including material contained in school libraries, classroom libraries, online catalogs, library mobile applications, and any other library catalog a student may access (added to definition of 'library materials')
  • In this Board Policy, 'Subject Persons' means those persons who (1) are employed by the District, (2) volunteer time or services on behalf of the District (3) directly interact with District students including contractors, vendors, and other individuals as defined in CJ(LOCAL).
  • The library materials standards in the Board Policy shall apply to all library materials available for use or display or any form of student access, including materials contained or displayed in school libraries, classroom libraries, online catalogs, library mobile applications, and any other library catalog a student may access.
  • The Superintendent shall develop District procedures to prohibit the possession, acquisition, and purchase of library materials listed below on District property by Subject Persons and students. The possession, acquisition, and purchase of such library materials is prohibited by all Subject Persons.
  • The Superintendent shall designate a District-level library supervisor to carry out all responsibilities set forth in this Board Policy. The District-level library supervisor is responsible for the development and maintenance of the library material catalog and District procedures.
  • The library supervisor shall ensure a professional librarian certified by the State Board for Educator Certification or other dedicated professional library staff trained on proper collection development standards is responsible for the evaluation, selection, acquisition, maintenance, reconsideration, deselection, or withdrawal of library materials.
  • The Superintendent is responsible for collection development and must develop District collection assessment and evaluation procedures to appraise the quality of library materials in the school library to ensure the library's goals, objectives, and information needs are serving the school community, and for Board evaluation, selection, acquisition, reconsideration, or deselection of library materials.
  • The Superintendent shall adopt District procedures regarding student and campus age groups, grade levels, and appropriate access to library materials by all students within each campus.
  • The Superintendent shall use joint agreements or collaboration with local public libraries and community organizations where feasible.
  • The Superintendent shall ensure the District's collection development procedures are posted on the District webpage and reviewed at least every three years and updated as necessary.
  • this Board Policy, and District procedures (added to the list of standards library materials shall comply with)
  • The Superintendent shall develop a process to determine and administer student access to material rated by library material vendors as 'sexually relevant' as defined by Texas Education Code Section 35.001, consistent with Texas law, any policies adopted by the Texas Education Agency, and in accordance with this Board Policy.
  • The District shall adopt District procedures for the evaluation, selection, acquisition, reconsideration, and deselection of library materials based on whether the library material: (replacing 'Prior to presenting any Library Materials to the Board for approval, the Superintendent shall certify each Library Material')
  • Enriches and supports the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and curriculum established by Education Code Section 28.002 (relating to Required Curriculum), while taking into consideration students' varied interests, maturity levels, abilities, and learning styles. (replacement for criterion 1)
  • Whether there are recommendations from parents, guardians, and local community members. (criterion 10)
  • Consultations with the District's educators and library staff. (criterion 11)
  • The District will not deselect or remove library materials based solely on the ideas contained in the material or the personal background of the author of the material or characters in the material.
  • The Superintendent shall meet at least two times each year and at other times as necessary for evaluation, selection, acquisition, reconsideration, maintenance, withdraw, or deselection of library materials. The Superintendent shall follow the notice procedures in Texas Education Code Sec. 33.025(g)-(h) for these meetings.
  • The Superintendent or designee shall make available on the District's public webpage a list of all books for Board evaluation, selection, acquisition, reconsideration, maintenance, withdrawal, and deselection at least 30 days before any Board vote. The Superintendent or designee shall also include the list in Board communications.
  • Each Board member is entitled to review each list of library materials that has been donated to or that is proposed to be evaluated, selected, acquired, reconsidered, maintained, withdrawn, or deselected, and may propose changes to any list.
  • The Board shall vote in an open meeting on the selection or acquisition of library materials, including donated materials, at the first open meeting of the Board held on or after the 30th day following the date the list is made accessible on the District webpage for public review. Prior to any Board vote, the Superintendent will certify verbally at a Board meeting that the Superintendent has evaluated the Library Materials for compliance with this Board Policy.
  • The Board is not required to vote on any library materials that are evaluated, reconsidered, maintained, withdrawn, or deselected. At the request of two or more Board members, a library material on a list for evaluation, reconsideration, maintenance, withdrawal, or deselection will be placed on the Board agenda for Board consideration on or after the 30th day after the date the list is made accessible on the District webpage for review by the public.
  • The District shall not add donated library material to the school library catalog or otherwise make the donated library material available for student use unless the Board approves the addition of that donated material for the grade levels for which the material is intended.
  • This section does not apply to library materials that have been donated to or that are to be procured by a school library that: (1) replace a damaged copy of a library material with the same International Standard Book Number that is currently in the school library catalog; (2) are additional copies of a library material with the same International Standard Book Number that is currently in the school library catalog; or (3) have the same International Standard Book Number and have been approved for the same grade levels by the Board of Trustees of the District from a previous proposed list of library materials.
  • By no later than December 31, 2026 (replacing 'February 1, 2026') the Superintendent will certify to the Board that all Library Materials in the District comply with items 1-9 and this policy.
  • Parents are the primary decision makers regarding their student's access to library materials.
  • The District shall maintain a library materials webpage that includes the online library catalogs and focuses on maximizing access for students, community members, parents, and guardians.
  • The Superintendent shall include on the webpage: 1. The online library catalog, including information about titles and how and where material can be accessed; 2. Any list for Board evaluation, selection, acquisition, reconsideration, or deselection, as well as available timelines; 3. Access to Board Policies and District procedures relating to school libraries and library materials; 4. Any Library Materials Challenge or similar District Forms; 5. Submitted Library Materials Challenge Forms with information on next steps; 6. Information about the District's commitment to compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (Pub. L. No. 106-554), including through the use of technology protection measures, as defined by that Act; 7. Opportunities for students, parents, educators, and community members to provide feedback on library materials and services; and 8. Other library resources.
  • content, and the procedure for a parent or guardian to restrict or opt their student out of access to such (added to library catalog warning language)
  • The library catalog shall be updated as District collections change and at least annually, or upon the acquisition of Board-approved library materials, and account for challenged library materials that the Board voted to remove.
  • For individual or mobile classroom libraries, employees shall check out all library materials only from the District-or campus-approved library systems and library catalog. No library materials may be in an individual classroom library unless they include an approved District or campus label. No employee shall bring materials from their personal library collection that are not in the District-or campus-approved library systems and library catalogs, with an approved District or campus label.
  • Employees may submit library materials for inclusion in the library catalog. Such library materials would require Board approval.
  • The District shall include a form adopted by the Texas Education Agency to challenge library materials on its public internet library materials webpage and ensure the form is publicly available at the District administrative office. The webpage shall include information about the challenge process and deadlines. A completed form shall be distributed as soon as practicable to the Superintendent, District-level library supervisor, school librarian, and Board at the time of submission and posted on the public library catalog's webpage.
  • Challengers shall be informed of the timelines for review and process.
  • The review committee may develop a form to assist the Board.
  • District (replacing 'school') that receives a challenge to a library material shall prohibit students enrolled in the District from accessing the library material until the District takes action in response to the challenge.
  • The Board may not act on an appeal in response to the Board's final decision on a library material challenge before the second anniversary of the date of the Board's determination to withdraw or not withdraw the challenged library material. The District shall adopt and post on its webpage a challenge appeal form for this appeal purpose, and the date of the second anniversary of the Board's final library material challenge decision. The Board's final decision may not be appealed under Board Policies FNG(LOCAL) or DGBA(LOCAL) or any other grievance or complaint method not provided in the section.
  • Appeal of District Action Related to Challenge of Library Materials to the Board of Trustees: This provision is only applicable to actions by the District, and not by the Board of Trustees. A parent or person standing in parental relation to a student enrolled in the District, a person employed by the District, or a person residing in the District may submit to the District's Board an appeal of an action taken by the District, and not the Board of Trustees, in response to a written challenge received for any library material. The District shall adopt and post a District challenge appeal form on its website for this purpose. The District's decision may not be appealed under Board Policies FNG (Local) or DGBA (Local) or any other grievance or complaint method not provided in the section.
  • In taking action on a submitted written challenge, the Board shall follow the law. The District may develop forms to assist the Board in applying legal review standards.
  • The Superintendent shall certify to the Board of Trustees that the District complies with this Board Policy not later than December 31, 2026 (replacing February 1, 2026).
  • on this District webpage (replacing 'on' in challenge form submission language)
  • Board of Trustees (added to section heading 'Challenge Of Library Materials to the Board of Trustees')
  • Appeal of Board of Trustees Decision Related to Challenge of Library Materials (section heading change)
  • of Board of Trustees final decision to withdraw or not withdraw library materials as a result of a library materials challenge (replacing 'of an action taken by the District in response to a written challenge to any library material in the catalog of a school library in the District')
  • Represent the ethnic, religious, and cultural groups and their contributions to Texas, the nation, and the world., and national heritage (replacing 'the Texas, the nation, and the world., and national heritage and world community')
  • District (replacing 'Board') in 'The Board of Trustees shall take action on a written challenge to any library material at the first open meeting of the Board held after the 90th day'

Removed

  • Penal Code (redundant citation removed from item 1 of pornographic material list, keeping 'Penal Code Section 43.24')
  • Library Book Requirement/Superintendent Certification (removed from section heading, replaced with Purpose and Standards for Collection Development and Goals)
  • Texas law and (removed from compliance standard, keeping 'all applicable state and federal laws and regulations' and 'guidelines adopted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission')
  • Prior to presenting any Library Materials to the Board for approval, the Superintendent shall certify each Library Material (removed, replaced with District procedures language)
  • Aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). (original criterion 1 text, replaced with expanded version)
  • Takes into consideration students' varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels. (original criterion 2, merged into criterion 1)
  • Supports growth in factual knowledge (changed to 'Fosters growth')
  • the Texas, the nation, and the world., and national heritage and world community (replaced with 'Texas, the nation, and the world., and national heritage')
  • School Library Selection Process section (entire section removed/consolidated): The Superintendent shall develop a District process to ensure: 1. Library Materials align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS); 2. District policies and procedures for the acquisition of library materials are consistent with local community values; 3. Library Materials proposed for acquisition under Texas Education Code § 33.026, are appropriate for each grade level of the school or campus for which the library materials are proposed to be acquired and consistent with this Policy and Board Policy CH (Local), EMB (Local), EFA (Local) and EMI (Local); 4. If feasible, the District uses joint agreements or strategies for collaboration between the school District and local public libraries and community organizations; 5. The removal of any library materials inconsistent with this Policy; 6. There are policies and procedures for processing challenges received under Texas Education Code § 33.027; 7. The action to be taken by the District in response to challenges received under Texas Education Code § 33.027; 8. No library material shall be possessed, acquired, or purchased if it is included on the list of rejected instructional materials maintained by the State Board of Education under Texas Education Code § 31.022(a); and 9. Materials inconsistent with this Board Policy are not available in the District, including materials from an employee's home or private libraries.
  • The Superintendent shall make a list of recommendations to the School Board regarding Library Materials, including donated items. The list will include the Superintendent's Library Materials certification. The list will include whether the Superintendent recommends adding library materials to the school library catalog or removing library materials from a school library catalog following a challenge under Texas Education Code § 33.027. Prior to approval, the Board will make the Superintendent's list of library materials that have been donated to or that are proposed to be procured by a school library accessible for review by the public for at least 30 days before final Board approval.
  • The list of recommendations by the Superintendent shall be considered by the Board of Trustees. In making its recommendations, the Superintendent shall adhere to the library standards in Texas Education Code § 33.021.
  • The District shall not add donated library material to the school library catalog or otherwise make the donated library material available for student use unless the Board of Trustees approves the addition of that donated material for the grade levels for which the material is intended. (duplicate removed from old section)
  • Board Approval of Library Materials: The Board of Trustees must approve all library materials that have been donated to or that are to be procured by a school library in the District, with the advice and recommendations of the Superintendent. (old standalone section removed)
  • Public Review of School Library Materials List: The Board must approve or reject the list of library materials that have been donated to or that are proposed to be procured in an open meeting. The Board will ensure all books comply with the library standards in this Policy. This section does not apply to library materials that have been donated to or that are to be procured by a school library that: (1) replace a damaged copy...; (2) are additional copies...; (3) have the same International Standard Book Number and have been approved for the same grade levels... Each member of the Board of a school District is entitled to review each list of library materials that have been donated to or that are proposed to be procured by a school library in the District and propose changes to each list before the Board votes to approve or reject the list. The Board shall approve or reject a list of library materials that have been donated to or that are proposed to be procured by a school library at the first open meeting of the Board held on or after the 30th day after the date the list is made accessible for review by the public. (old section removed)
  • By no later than December 31, 2026 February 1, 2026 (old certification deadline text replaced)
  • If a challenge to a library material submitted results in the Board of trustees, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, not removing the library material from a school library catalog, the Board is not required to take any action in response to a written challenge of the library material submitted before the second anniversary of the date of the determination not to remove the library material. (removed from challenge section, restructured into appeal section)
  • Appeal of District Action (old section heading replaced with 'Appeal of Board of Trustees Decision Related to Challenge of Library Materials')
  • of an action taken by the District in response to a written challenge to any library material in the catalog of a school library in the District (removed from appeal description)
  • The Board of Trustees shall take action on the appeal at the first open meeting of the Board held after the date the appeal is filed. (removed from Board appeal section)
  • In taking action on a written challenge submitted or an appeal, the Board of Trustees shall consider: (1) The advice of the Superintendent; and (2) Whether the library material challenged or appealed is suitable for the subject and grade level for which the library material is intended, including by considering: (3) Whether the library material adheres to the library standards approved under Section 33.021; and (4) Reviews, if any, of the library material conducted by academic experts specializing in the subject covered by the library material or in the education of students in the subject and grade level for which the library material is intended. (removed from Board standard of review section)
  • The Superintendent shall ensure administrative procedures are in place to comply with this Policy. Disposal of any District-owned library materials shall be in accordance with Board policies and administrative procedures. [See CI] (removed from Board standard of review section)
  • Superintendent Authority (old section heading removed)
  • District policies and (removed from 'The Superintendent shall develop District policies and procedures')
  • This includes library materials accessed at any time by students in classroom libraries. (removed from checkout record requirement)
  • February 1, 2026 (removed as certification deadline, replaced with December 31, 2026)
  • Or Appeal (removed from 'Board Standard Of Review Of Written Challenge Or Appeal' heading)
  • the District's (replaced with 'this District') in challenge form submission language
  • school (replaced with 'District') in 'A school District that receives a challenge'

Legal Compliance Summary

AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.

Legal Compliance Details Mixed

AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.

Expanded definition of 'library materials' to include online catalogs, mobile apps, classroom libraries, and all forms of student access Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.021 (amended by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: District extended the definition to cover classroom libraries, mobile applications, and any library catalog a student may access — specific applications beyond the statutory mandate to adhere to collection development standards
Definition of 'Subject Persons' covering employees, volunteers, contractors, and vendors Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District created a locally defined class of persons subject to library materials standards; no statute requires or authorizes this specific definitional construct
Superintendent procedures to prohibit possession, acquisition, and purchase of certain library materials by Subject Persons and students Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District locally elected to prohibit possession and acquisition by employees, volunteers, contractors, vendors, and students; no statute mandates such prohibition procedures
Designation of a District-level library supervisor responsible for catalog development and District procedures Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District created a specific administrative role not required by statute; collection development standards (TEC § 33.021) require adherence but do not prescribe this staffing structure
Requirement that a SBEC-certified professional librarian or trained library staff be responsible for evaluation, selection, acquisition, maintenance, reconsideration, and deselection of library materials Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District chose to require certified or trained library professionals for collection functions; TEC § 33.021 mandates adherence to TSLAC collection development standards but the verbatim statute text provided does not specify staffing requirements
Collection development framework: Superintendent responsibility for collection assessment, evaluation procedures, and Board evaluation/selection/acquisition/deselection processes Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.021 (amended by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025); TEC § 33.026 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: District assigned Superintendent as collection development lead and specified assessment and evaluation cycle; statute requires adherence to collection development standards and adoption of an acquisition policy but does not specify the Superintendent as the responsible officer
Superintendent procedures regarding student access to materials rated 'sexually relevant' under TEC § 35.001 Locally Discretionary
Statutory basis: TEC § 35.001 (added by H.B. 900, 88th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2023)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: District created access procedures tied to the TEC § 35.001 definition; the statute analysis contains only a definition provision with no requirement or permission quote supporting a mandate to adopt specific access procedures
Superintendent compliance with TEC § 33.025(g)-(h) meeting requirements (at least twice yearly) when no local school library advisory council is established Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.025 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: District specified the meeting frequency as 'at least two times each year'; statute mandates compliance with meeting requirements under § 33.025(g)-(h) but the verbatim text provided does not specify frequency — frequency is a local addition
Collection development procedures posted on District webpage and reviewed at least every three years Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District locally required public posting and triennial review cycle for collection development procedures; no statute in the analysis mandates publication or periodic review of these procedures
District adoption of evaluation, selection, acquisition, reconsideration, and deselection criteria (criteria 1-11, including TEKS alignment, community values, ethnic/religious/cultural representation, parent/community recommendations, educator consultation) Mixed
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.021 (amended by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025); TEC § 28.002 (Required Curriculum)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: Adherence to TSLAC collection development standards is required; TEKS-curriculum alignment is required. However, criteria 10 (parent/community recommendations) and 11 (educator consultations), and the prohibition on content-based or author-based deselection are locally chosen additions not expressly mandated by the verbatim statute text provided
Prohibition on deselecting or removing library materials based solely on ideas, author background, or character background Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District added a content-neutrality anti-censorship principle; no statute in the analysis requires or authorizes this specific protection
Board approval of library materials: public 30-day pre-vote accessibility on District webpage, Board member review and proposal rights, Board vote at first open meeting on or after 30th day Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.026 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: The 30-day minimum public accessibility window and Board member proposal rights are locally specified; statute requires an acquisition policy with procurement and donation procedures but does not specify a 30-day notice period or board member proposal rights in the verbatim text provided
Prohibition on adding donated library materials without Board approval; exceptions for replacement copies, additional copies, and previously approved ISBN/grade-level matches Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.026 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: The specific ISBN-based exceptions for replacement copies, additional copies, and previously Board-approved grade-level matches are locally constructed; statute requires a policy governing donated materials but does not specify these exception categories
Parental access to library catalog and parental opt-out procedures (electronic/physical form or online catalog system) Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.023 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: District added catalog warning language about content and opt-out procedure; statute mandates parent access and opt-out procedures via electronic/physical form or online catalog
Statement that parents are the primary decision makers regarding student access to library materials Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District made a locally chosen policy declaration affirming parental primacy; no statute in the analysis mandates this specific statement
District library materials webpage requirements (catalog, materials lists, Board policies, challenge forms, CIPA disclosure, feedback opportunities, other resources) Mixed
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.023 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025); TEC § 33.026 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025); TEC § 33.027 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: Required: parent catalog access (TEC § 33.023), materials lists for acquisition (TEC § 33.026), challenge forms (TEC § 33.027). Locally added: CIPA compliance disclosure, feedback opportunities, Board policy links, other library resources, and the specific eight-item webpage content list
Classroom and individual library restrictions: employees may only use District/campus-approved materials with approved labels; prohibition on personal library collections in classrooms Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District locally imposed restrictions on classroom library materials including labeling requirements and prohibition on personal library collections; no statute in the analysis mandates these specific classroom library procedures
Employee submission of library materials for catalog inclusion requiring Board approval Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.026 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: District created an employee submission pathway; statute requires Board acquisition policy and donation procedures, which necessarily encompasses this scenario, though the employee-specific submission mechanism is locally constructed
Challenge process: TEA-adopted form requirement, distribution to Superintendent/library supervisor/librarian/Board, posting on public webpage, restriction of access to challenged materials pending District action Required by Law
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.027 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: District specified distribution to Superintendent, library supervisor, librarian, and Board — beyond the statute's council notice requirement; statute requires use of TEA-adopted form and council notification within 5 days. The access restriction pending Board action, public posting of the challenge form, and challenger timeline notification are local additions
Two-track appeal structure: (1) Appeal of Board of Trustees decision on library material challenge (with two-year bar on repeat appeals); (2) Appeal of District action (non-Board) to the Board Mixed
Statutory basis: TEC § 33.027 (added by S.B. 13, 89th Leg., R.S., eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
Verified via: verbatim statute text
Local additions: Statute permits appeal of District action to the Board (Track 2). The two-year bar on repeat appeals of Board decisions (Track 1) and the prohibition on appealing Board decisions under FNG(LOCAL) or DGBA(LOCAL) are locally constructed restrictions not found in the verbatim statute text provided
Standard of review: Board shall follow the law; District may develop forms to assist Board; final Board challenge decisions may not be appealed under FNG(LOCAL) or DGBA(LOCAL) Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District specified that Board applies a legal compliance standard of review and foreclosed standard grievance policy appeals; no verbatim statute text in the analysis prescribes a standard of review or prohibits grievance-based appeals of Board challenge decisions
Superintendent compliance certification deadline extended from February 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District moved its internally set certification deadline; no statute in the analysis establishes a Superintendent certification deadline
Collaboration with local public libraries and community organizations where feasible Locally Discretionary
Verified via: unverified
Local additions: District retained this collaborative goal; no statute in the analysis mandates joint agreements or collaboration with public libraries
2025-09-16adopted · Meeting notes

Conroe ISD's Policy EFB (Library Materials) was comprehensively rewritten, removing the previous decentralized, librarian-driven collection development framework and replacing it with a Board-centric approval and oversight model. The updated policy adds explicit prohibitions on pornographic material, requires Superintendent certification of all library materials for compliance, mandates Board approval of all library material acquisitions and donations, establishes a formal statutory challenge process aligned with Texas Education Code §33.027, and strengthens parental rights including opt-out and notification provisions.

2023-11-14adopted · Meeting notes

Policy EFB (Library Materials) was revised to add a definition of "sexually explicit materials," restrict elementary/intermediate school library content, require email notifications to parents when students check out library books, require parental written permission for secondary students to access ELA classroom collections, streamline the appeal process by eliminating Level 2, and clarify Board member review and action procedures for challenged materials.

Added

  • Education Code 33.021(a) describes 'sexually explicit material' as any communication, language, or material, including a written description, illustration, photographic image, video image, or audio file, other than library material directly related to the curriculum required under Section 28.002(a), that describes, depicts, or portrays sexual conduct, as defined by Penal Code Section 43.25, in a way that is patently offensive, as defined by Penal Code Section 43.21. No instructional material shall be used if it contains content that can meet the sexually explicit material standard.
  • Elementary and Intermediate school libraries shall not contain library materials with depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts, implied or otherwise, including explicit or non-explicit written descriptions, depictions, illustrations of sexual acts, or visual depictions or illustrations of frontal nudity except for the purposes of providing instruction required by Education Code Section 28.002 or with parent consent required by Education Code Section 28.004(c)(8) related to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking.
  • Library Services – Conroe ISD (hyperlink added to library catalogs website reference)
  • Library Services – Conroe ISD (hyperlink added to list of library materials recommended for purchase)
  • The District shall email all parents each time their student checks out library materials. A parent may opt out of receiving this notification. [Library Book Notifications section]
  • Books are available for secondary students to check out through English Language Arts (ELA) classroom collections. Secondary parents or guardians must provide written permission for their secondary student to access ELA classroom collections. The classroom collection authorization form is available on the District's website. [Secondary ELA Classroom Collection Authorization section]
  • Prior to the end of the thirty-day period, in accordance with Board Policy BE, any Board member may initiate a formal challenge to any library material included in the library material order by following the process set out in this policy under Formal Reconsideration. If the Board member is dissatisfied with the reconsideration committee's decision, in compliance with Board Policy BE (Local), the Board member may request an agenda item for the Board's next regular meeting agenda to review the any library materials for removal from the order by notifying the Superintendent and the Board President. When such a request is made, the purchase of the library material subject to Board review shall be placed on hold.
  • the any library materials for removal from the order
  • v shall vote whether to permanently remove the library material from the order.
  • ensure (replacing 'ensuresee') that all digital library materials comply with the following:
  • Content Access Level (column header updated in digital content table)
  • Elementary/Intermediate (grade span label updated in digital content table)
  • Junior High (label updated in digital content table)
  • High School (label updated in digital content table)
  • However, library materials that are pervasively vulgar or lack educational suitability will be removed. Decisions to remove library materials will be made consistent with law, including those that require the protection of minors from harmful, obscene, or sexually explicit material as set out in this policy.
  • Library Services – Conroe ISD (hyperlink added to formal reconsideration form reference)
  • Library Services – Conroe ISD (hyperlink added to post challenged materials decisions)
  • starting at Level 3 the appropriate level. [See DGBA, FNG, and GF]
  • Additionally, in accordance with Board Policy BE (Local), any Board member may request an agenda item for the Board's next regular meeting agenda to review the decision of the reconsideration committee in accordance with Board Policy BE Local by notifying the Superintendent and the Board President.
  • shall vote whether to uphold, modify, or reject the reconsideration committee's decision to either retain, relocate, or remove the library material.
  • Any Board member may initiate the formal reconsideration of a library material by following the process set out in this policy under Formal Reconsideration. If the Board member is dissatisfied with the reconsideration committee's decision, in accordance with Board Policy BE (Local), the any Board member may request an agenda item for the Board's next regular meeting agenda to review the decision of the reconsideration committee a library material for removal from the collection by notifying the Superintendent and the Board President.
  • the any Board member may request an agenda item for the Board's next regular meeting agenda to review the decision of the reconsideration committee
  • shall vote whether to permanently retain, relocate, or remove the library material.
  • Nothing in this policy prohibits a Board member from requesting a library material be informally reviewed in accordance with District procedures.

Removed

  • Library materials shall Collection development must comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as specified in 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5), including technology protection measures. [See CQ] (language reorganized/replaced)
  • professional (struck from 'While professional reviews can be used...')
  • all (struck from 'The District shall email all parents...' — replaced with 'all' kept but formatting changed)
  • Prior to the end of the thirty-day period in accordance with Board Policy BE any Board member may initiate a formal challenge... (old version of Board member challenge language)
  • the (struck before 'library material subject to Board review')
  • shall (struck from 'The Board shall vshall vote')
  • ensuresee (replaced with 'ensure')
  • Content Access Level (old column header in table, replaced with updated formatting)
  • Prekindergarten-6 (old grade span label replaced with 'Prekindergarten-6')
  • Elementary/Intermediate (old label formatting)
  • Junior High Junior High School (old label)
  • High School High School (old label)
  • Adult / 9-12 / High School (row removed from digital content table)
  • in accordance with Board Policy BE Local (struck from appeal section)
  • to either retain, relocate, or remove the library material. (struck from Board vote description in Appeal section)
  • the any Board member... a library material for removal from the collection (old language in Board Action section)
  • agenda (struck from 'regular meeting agenda to review')
  • Level 2 (eliminated from appeal process — complainant appeal now starts at Level 3/appropriate level)
  • in accordance with Board Policy BE Local (struck, replaced with 'in accordance with Board Policy BE (Local)')