Education
BY KELLY SCHAFLER
Fort Bend ISD approves book review revisions At the Aug. 26 meeting, Fort Bend ISD trustees approved policy revisions that allow the superin- tendent more authority over book selections. Under the district’s previous policy, community members had to file a formal challenge requesting instructional materials be reconsidered. The reconsideration committee would read and review the book before the committee makes a determi- nation, trustee David Hamilton, chair of the policy committee, said at FBISD’s Aug. 12 workshop board meeting. With the revised policy, Superintendent Marc Smith or someone designated by Smith will deter- mine if a book violates law and should be removed from the district. What they’re saying The policy passed with a 5-2 vote, with trustees Angie Hanan and Shirley Rose-Gilliam voting
FBISD bond shortfall rises to $70.4M Fort Bend ISD is $70.4 million short on funds needed to complete projects outlined in its $1.26 billion May 2023 bond program, staff said at the Aug. 12 workshop meeting. The roughly $14 million increase from the $56.8 million shortfall reported in July is due to nine extra project cost estimates coming in, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn said. Director of Design and Construction Daniel Bankhead said he anticipates the shortfall will fluctuate as the remaining 33% of project estimates are finalized. Next steps Cost estimates on the projects could continue coming in through the second quarter of 2025, Bankhead said.
Policy change The new policy will:
• Allow Fort Bend ISD’s superintendent to choose books to review without a formal challenge • Allow the superintendent to convene an internal committee to make a decision • Dissolve the reconsideration committee
SOURCE: FORT BEND ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
against, citing concerns trustees would ask Smith to remove books and lack of “guardrails” in the policy. However, board President Kristin Tassin and oth- ers said they trusted district librarians and Smith to make decisions on what books should be allowed. What else When making book decisions, Smith said he will lean on the expertise of librarians and collect feedback from others through the process. “I have full faith and confidence in [librarians] and their ability to be able to provide our students what they need and to protect our students from what they don’t need,” he said.
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