Knox County Schools addresses book ban process after ‘Roots’ controversy

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Knox County Schools is working to clarify its process for banning books after the recent removal and reinstatement of “Roots” sparked protests from parents and community members.

More than 100 books are banned by Knox County Schools. The book “Roots” was most recently banned, but weeks after the ban, the superintendent decided to put it back on bookshelves.

Previous Coverage: ‘Effective immediately’ | ‘Roots’ returns to school libraries in Knox County, superintendent says

A committee determined a chapter in “Roots” violated the Age Appropriate Materials Act. The decision caused uproar among many, especially given author Alex Haley’s deep ties to East Tennessee. He lived in Knoxville, where he did some writing and research.

School board hears concerns

Dozens of people showed up to protest the process to ban books at Monday’s school board meeting. They focused on two things: clarity and transparency.

Some feel the decision to initially ban “Roots” came out of nowhere without any real explanation. After Superintendent Jon Rysewyk chose to put it back on school shelves, they are still pushing for more transparency.

School leaders explained the Age Appropriate Materials Act to parents, saying a group will flag any book in schools that includes sexual conduct, sexual excitment or nudity.

A KCS official said the state law is very specific in areas but also broad in others. When the district spoke with lawyers, they got varying answers.

Because of the lack of clarity, Rysewyk put it back on school shelves. The district will have more conversations about the law moving forward.

“We have an opportunity now to formalize a more transparent challenge process. We’ve had a challenge process for a long time, but it just hasn’t been utilized in the last two years,” said Kori Lautner, assistant superintendent of impact and policy for KCS.

Some parents feel the school board should have more say. Others think the district needs to re-evaluate the more than 100 books already banned.

Previous Coverage: More than 100 books prohibited from library shelves in Knox County Schools under state law

“Banning books is not anything that makes students or communities or school safer. It just makes our communities smaller,” said Sam Brown, president of the Knoxville NAACP.

“As part of the banned book club, we are reading these books that are on the banned book list and I hope to communicate to the school board just how important these books are,” said Michelle Christian, co-organizer of Banned Book Club Knoxville.

An hour before the meeting, those against the book ban were protesting, wanting these books back on school shelves.

The book “Roots” is available at seven KCS libraries, all located in high schools, according to the district. KCS leaders said 123 books are banned. More than 700,000 books are circulated in KCS libraries.