So far, 2 of 97 books have been banned from Beaufort County schools. Tell us what you think
How do you feel about the 97 books that were pulled from Beaufort County school libraries in October for potential adult and racial content, and the review process it unleashed?
The review process has taken about six months so far, and at 10 books per month is projected to go to September and cost at least $8,500.
This poll is not meant to be scientific, but does offer insight as to what the community is thinking — especially from folks who cannot attend school board meetings.
The poll consists of seven questions and will close at 10 a.m. Monday, March 6.
Take the poll here:
Here’s what’s happened
Last fall, Superintendent Frank Rodriguez decided to pull the books for review based on lists emailed to the district by outspoken local GOP politician Mike Covert and parent Ivie Szalai.
Szalai flagged the list of titles as inappropriate based off of BookLooks.org, a website commonly used by the conservative parent group Moms For Liberty. Covert’s list was nearly identical except he added a book that, in his opinion, was too much like critical race theory.
A seven-person review committee consisting of district employees and community members votes on whether the books should remain in schools.
Covert and Szalai are allowed to appeal these decisions. Then the school board examines the book review committees’ reports and votes on whether those decisions will stand.
Of the 26 titles reviewed so far, committees banned two books, kept some books in libraries in the same capacity as before, limited access to some, and expanded access to two.
