The ACLU of Virginia said the “automatic removal” of challenged books constitutes “censorship that contradicts the Law’s express limitations,” and urged the board to return the removed books to libraries. “Senate Bill 656, which codified the law, contained an enactment clause clarifying ‘hat the provisions of this act shall not be construed as requiring or providing for the censoring of books in public elementary and secondary schools.'” “Contrary to the representations made in the memo, the removal of these 14 books and adoption of the proposed policy is neither required by nor consistent with the stated intent of Virginia Code section 22.1-16.8,” the letter read, in part.
“They use a well-established state definition, and it’s about what you would expect of sexually explicit … pictures, photographs, description of sex.”īut the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Virginia sent a letter to the Spotsylvania County Public School Board Friday purporting Taylor “manufactured a crisis” over the books and through a memo he sent last month on the matter. “Law enacted in Virginia last year … requires parental notification and parental choice in advance of exposure to students of sexually explicit materials and sexually explicit materials are carefully defined,” Taylor said. He further discussed the 2022 law enacted by Youngkin, explaining the district’s look at 14 books was made in accordance with its specifications. Taylor added, “There are a few books that are potentially problematic, and, in fact, found to be problematic.” “And the concern is about ensuring that our libraries, our school libraries are safe spaces.” “There’s only a tiny percentage are of any concern,” he said. Taylor, a longtime attorney who has spent much of his career working in government before taking on the superintendent role last year, told CBN News that, while critics claim the books are being “banned,” he said the issue is about making sure schools are safe. Glenn Youngkin requires parental notifications if and when books will be assigned with graphic material.
Mark Taylor, superintendent of Spotsylvania County Schools (SCPS), said the 14 books contained sexually-explicit material under Virginia state law.
Listen to the latest episode of CBN’s Quick Start podcast 👇 A Virginia school superintendent who recently announced the removal of controversial books in school libraries said the objectionable content was axed after a parental complaint.
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