The Mingus Union High School District Governing Board postponed its discussion of the first reading of a set of proposed modifications to its policy regarding library material selection and adoption during a Jan. 11 special meeting.
The board went into executive session during the special meeting to discuss Policy IJL on library material selection and adoption.
To allow for the regular meeting to begin, the board tabled the discussion of the policy for a later meeting.
During the call to the public during the regular meeting, 44 people spoke about the potential modifications to the library policy. Many expressed their belief that MUHS was going on a book-banning spree, although the board has not accepted or even publicly discussed the potential modifications to the policy.
A section of the policy referred to sexually explicit material in the library, stating, “The district will not use, nor will students be referred to, any library resources that are ‘sexually explicit’ under [Arizona Revised Statutes] 15-120.03 and Policy IHAMB-R unless parental consent is provided on a per material basis. Such material will be placed on a closed shelf for student access until such parent permission has been granted for that student.”
ARS §15-120.03 states that a public school may not refer students to or use any sexually explicit material in any manner. Materials may be exempted if the materials possess serious educational value for minors or possesses serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value; if the school requires written parental consent before the school refers a student to or uses the material; and if the school provides an alternative assignment for students who do not secure parental consent.
Sexually explicit materials include those depicting sexual conduct, sexual excitement and sexual acts.
The board also selected a president and vice president for 2024, as both positions are filled on an annual basis.
Board member Misty Cox nominated Lori Drake, the current board president, to continue in the role, which the board supported unanimously.
Drake then nominated Cox to be the board’s vice president, which was also approved unanimously.
The board decided to keep the current meeting schedule on the second Thursday of every month. The next board meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m.
