The Pine-Richland School Board took up its policy on library books again this week.
By a 5-4 vote, the board revised its policy, something that has been a hot topic in the district in recent years. It limited to parents and guardians formal challenges to the policy. It restored a review committee. It took a position in support of book collections with a diverse range of voices, including controversial topics.
What did not change?
The authority remains firmly in the board’s hands. No one else will decide what books are off limits. That matters.
Pine-Richland is one of many districts across Pennsylvania and throughout the country that have been pulled into contentious debates over the books that students have access to in school. In Central York School District, the pendulum swung from works by Black and Latino authors to the “Girls Who Code” STEM series. In Hempfield Area School District, university-level books for a senior class that earned college credits were challenged.
The change shows the consequences of local elections. Pine-Richland’s board experienced a shake-up last year. The same thing happened at Central York. Norwin School District has had issues with a CNN-produced news program for students and a book challenge, both originating with a board member. That board also experienced turnover.
That points to the politics. The way Pine-Richland retains authority demonstrates the power.
The review committee demonstrates structure. It asks educators and community members to give insight before the issue reaches the board, but the board holds the reins, just as it did before.
The emphasis on a diversity of literature sounds like an about-face — and it may be for this board. It is also consistent with what a library represents: a variety of books across topics and abilities, offering something for everyone studying any subject.
The concentration of authority, however, could be a warning that this is just a swing in a different direction — and may change again when board members are on the ballot next year.
The interest in the topic says Pine-Richland is not done with this debate. Indeed, the board noted there are pending challenges. The policy will provide a road map for handling those challenges.
That is important because the only way to maintain consistency for students is for the process to be clear and understandable. The only way to build trust in the community is to show concerns are heard and acted on fairly.
That’s not a criticism. That’s how government and elections work. If you want to see change, you show up at meetings. You raise your voice. You oppose what you believe is going in the wrong direction. You vote for candidates you believe will represent a new path — or maintain the one you favor.
School boards are supposed to act in the best interests of students by representing the will and values of the people. But it is just as important for students to have consistency as they go through their educational years.
The board’s 5-4 split speaks less to education than to politics. It feels like the narrow divides in Harrisburg or Washington that lead legislators to logjams without progress.
This may seem to be about books. And it is, on the surface. But it also is an attempt to assert control.
The board still holds those reins.