Board member of Rutherford Co. Schools faces criticism for lack of transparency following removal of 18 books from school libraries.

High school sophomore Daphne Gamble, who plans to study library science, is concerned about the removal of 18 books from Rutherford County Schools for being sexually charged. The books were removed without going through the established review committee, sparking controversy. The Rutherford County Library Alliance believes this is censorship targeting LGBTQ+ content. School board member Caleb Tidwell claims he acted on behalf of anonymous parents who expressed concerns about the books and feared retaliation. However, critics argue that this lack of transparency violates district policy. Director of Schools James Sullivan defended the removal of the books as obscene, bypassing the review committee’s limits. Concerned citizens like Kerri Lambert fear this secretive process could lead to more book removals without discussion. Lambert believes the only solution is to sue the district under the First Amendment to stop the censorship. Despite political differences, Lambert insists that defending the American constitution is crucial in this situation. This contentious issue has raised questions about censorship, transparency, and the protection of intellectual freedom in schools. The ongoing debate highlights the importance of open dialogue and adherence to established procedures in addressing controversial content in educational settings.

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