The Brief

The Chino Valley Unified School District board is considering a new policy that could remove books with “sexually obscene content” from school libraries, classrooms and all other district facilities.

Under the proposal, anyone living in the Chino school district, parent or not, would be able to file a complaint about a book if they believe the content is inappropriate for students.

Once a complaint is received, the school principal would be required to remove that book and notify the superintendent within three days. The book would then go to the school board, who would have 45 days to hold a public hearing on the content.

It would ultimately be left up to the five members of the Chino school board to decide if the book is appropriate. If they believe the content is harmful for students, the book would be permanently pulled out of the district. However, it would not apply to books that are part of the state-approved curriculum.

New policy, new problems?

The proposed book policy was introduced at Thursday night’s school board meeting shortly after a San Bernardino County judge blocked parts of another controversial Chino school district policy.

A parental notification policy was passed by the board in July, mandating that all school staff notify parents if their child asks to use a different name, gender, bathroom or program than what is listed on their official records. Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the school district for the move, describing it as a “forced outing policy.”

Bonta wanted the policy to be paused while the case worked its way through the court system, and on Thursday, Judge Michael Sachs granted a preliminary injunction for two parts. As of now, if a student asks to change their pronouns or use different facilities, Chino school staff are not required to tell their parents.

Board President Sonja Shaw said in Thursday’s board meeting she doesn’t see the injunction as a defeat. She said she expected the ruling because, “We’re in California, and we’re up against a wall.”

Some parents, students, and teachers drew similarities between the policies. During public comment, opponents argued the proposed book policy is another lawsuit waiting to happen, while supporters celebrated an opportunity for more “parental rights.”

While the meeting was intense, it was largely respectful. Almost every speaker, regardless of their stance on the issues, was met with a round of applause from the rest of the audience when their time was up.

Supporters

Several public speakers read excerpts from books they said are available to students in the district. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews, Looking for Alaska by John Green, and Perfect by Ellen Hopkins were specifically criticized for their content.

Stephen Paez, who identified himself as a father of three children in Chino Valley, thanked the board for keeping parents involved.

A group of supporters who thanked the Chino board members for standing up for parents.

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Screenshot of CVUSD Youtube

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A group of more than a dozen people approached the microphone together to show their support for the board members. One mother said she has a right and a responsibility to decide what her children are filling their minds with. Christine Collingsworth also thanked the board, but specifically Shaw.

“All parents in California stand behind you, and we want to lock arms with you,” Collingsworth said.

However, not everyone at the meeting was part of the Chino community. At least one person who spoke in support of the policy identified themselves as belonging to a different Southern California school district.

Opponents

Several Chino students spoke out against the proposal, including the district’s student representative Chloe Kubeldis.

“I know that the board is trying to act and what they think are the best interests of us students, but this policy will do far more harm than good,” she said.

President Brenda Walker speaks for a group of Associated Chino Teachers (ACT) at Thursday's board meeting.

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Screenshot of CVUSD Youtube

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Dozens of teachers and staff also expressed their concerns. A group of Associated Chino Teachers (ACT), led by their president Brenda Walker, said they are heartbroken just thinking about books being taken out of libraries and classrooms.

Some parents asked the board to explain why they are considering this proposal when there is already a district policy in place that outlines a complaint process. However, as Shaw pointed out, that policy does not mention “sexually obscene content.”

Other parents argued the proposal will actually take away their parental rights by allowing other members of the community to have power over what is available to their children.

Where the board members stand

James Ma said he was shocked and disgusted to hear some of the books being read in the meeting. He said the proposal is not about banning books because those aren’t books, they’re “trash.”

“If the previous system was working, then why should we still have those trash in our public system?” he said to his colleagues.

Donald Bridge and Jonathan Monroe were much more hesitant about the proposal. Both board members requested a legal opinion and complaint data before the next meeting.

Shaw echoed Ma’s sentiment. She said the system is broken, and she is willing to take “any beating” if it means kids in the Chino community aren’t exposed to sexually obscene content.

The Chino school board is expected to make a final decision and vote on the proposed book policy in November.