On March 8, the Nebraska State Board of Education faced a heated debate on whether to implement a ban on sexually explicit and pornographic materials in school libraries. Aurora board member Kirk Penner suggested the motion but faced significant opposition during public testimony, leading to a 5-3 vote against the ban.

Concerns About the Presence of Explicit Materials in Schools

Penner, emphasizing the presence of explicit content in some Nebraska schools, raised concerns about adults bringing in such materials accessible to minors. However, this marked his third unsuccessful attempt to pass the motion. The board rejected his proposed rule change. During the meeting, Penner read explicit scenes from books like "The Bluest Eye," "Lucky," and "A Court of Thorns and Roses."

Several board members argued against exposing children to explicit material at a young age. Sherry Jones, a board member, stated, "No child needs access to sexually explicit materials," emphasizing that difficult topics could be addressed without such content. One of the testifiers, Terri Cunningham-Swanson, recalled from her Plattsmouth school board position earlier this year, also expressed concern about exposing children to sexualized content.

Heather Hall, a mother from Roca, supported Penner's proposal. She emphasized that it is misunderstood as a book ban when it specifically targets books containing sexually explicit content. Hall clarified that she is not advocating for banning books but curating them. 

Highlighting Parental Control and Inclusivity

Deborah Neary, the Board Vice President, expressed opposition to pornography in school libraries but suggested that the motion might be an attempt to target books addressing racism, gender, and LGBTQ issues. She stressed the importance of parental control over children's reading but cautioned against a small group deciding for all students.

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Some parents resisted the motion, asserting that parents should not dictate what students read in school libraries. Jamie Bonkiewicz of Omaha cautioned against setting a dangerous precedent and stressed trust in teachers and administrators to make content decisions.

Kevin Abourezk, a Lincoln father and Native American, voiced concerns that Penner's proposal aims to erase LGBTQ history, emphasizing the potential impact on tolerance and understanding among peers. Abourezk argued that the measure would not prevent explicit content in school libraries and warned against creating oversight by individuals with negative views toward the LGBTQ community. He urged against using public schools to impose personal beliefs on others, framing the proposal as an act of erasure and hate.

Chris Haeffner, president of the Nebraska School Library, emphasized the qualifications of school librarians, media specialists, and teachers to make informed content decisions. Haeffner also underscored the importance of representing diverse perspectives in school libraries and the role of local school boards in listening to their communities and providing guidelines and reconsideration policies.

The American Library Association notes a rise in book bans, particularly targeting works by authors of color or from the queer community. In April 2023, around 75 students at Plattsmouth High School in Nebraska staged a protest against the school's decision to ban several books. The banned books cover subjects such as abuse, addiction, LGBTQ issues, racism, and explicit language. The students proposed a plan to the principal, suggesting their parents be given the authority to determine their reading choices rather than leaving it to educators.

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