News Update

Book ban controversy reaches San Ramon Valley Unified

Parents and community members clashed at the San Ramon Valley Unified board meeting Tuesday over what books should be available for students in district schools. The literature controversy pulls the district into an issue affecting districts nationwide as community members push for schools to ban books they do not find favorable.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, several speakers during the board meeting referenced “Gender Queer,” which many called “pornographic.” The graphic novel has been targeted in the movement to ban books, which has significantly targeted LGBTQ-related books, according to free-speech organization PEN America. The book is not required reading but community members who spoke up against it did not like that it was available at district schools.

Students who spoke up at the meeting, spoke against removing books from their libraries, questioning the anger from those who were in favor. Librarians took a similar side, outlining the review process each book goes through.