Francis Howell school board alters controversial ‘book ban’ proposal

O’FALLON, Mo — There’s more debate over books in the Francis Howell School District. The district’s board of education met Thursday night and was again greeted by protestors who called one of their latest proposals a ‘book ban.’

The board was supposed to vote on the proposal on Thursday, but that didn’t end up happening. After a lot of community pushback, the board chose to push back the vote.

The board proposed a new book approval process, involving board members and a list of new guidelines for new library books in the district. Those in favor of the proposal say it’s about keeping books age-appropriate. Opponents fear it limits different perspectives and disproportionately affects LGBTQ and minority students.

After meeting with the community last week, the board made several changes to its proposal, which critics called ‘a step in the right direction.’ The changes would give teachers and administrators a larger role in the book-approval process.

It also pushed back the final vote, which could happen at next month’s meeting. That’s set for Thursday, August 15th.

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