Legislative auditors recommend keyword filtering, proactive library policies after review of sensitive materials

Auditors presented a three-chapter review of how local education agencies handle sensitive materials in digital resources, school libraries and classroom lending collections.

Leah Blevins, the audit manager, told the subcommittee the team reviewed 15 school districts, two charter schools and at least 17 schools and focused on the system and processes rather than attempting an exhaustive content review. “This audit…the purpose of this audit was to review the structure and the process that is currently in place,” Blevins said.

The audit’s nut graf: auditors found largely functioning reactive processes for challenges and removals but recommended proactive policy changes to reduce the need for reactive responses, strengthen consistency across LEAs and reduce variability in librarian and teacher decision-making.

Chapter 1 assessed digital filtering. Auditors tested student devices and Utah’s online school library (UOSL), hosted by the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN). Morgan Hagee, lead auditor, said keyword filtering was inconsistent and typically not enabled for UOSL because filtering must be configured per website. “We found that the vast majority of the LEAs that we visited are not keyword filtering within this website,” Hagee said, and recommended the Legislature consider requiring LEAs to employ keyword filtering on any internet database with a search function like UOSL.

Committee members asked whether auditors had found students able to access explicit material through the systems audited; auditors clarified they used student devices to reproduce normal access and “we were not able to access it,” meaning the tests did not retrieve explicit material from UOSL in the sample they reviewed.

Chapter 2 examined school library challenge processes. Auditors reported that complaint-and-review processes generally operate on the back end, but school-level staff showed inconsistent knowledge of available committees or procedures. The audit team recommended LEAs adopt front-end approval checks for purchased library materials so librarians are not the sole gatekeepers and to reduce later controversies.

Chapter 3 looked at classroom libraries and teacher communication. Auditors found varied awareness among teachers about challenge outcomes and recommended LEAs implement policies ensuring all staff are notified of removals and that proactive selection guidance be provided so teachers have clear criteria when assembling classroom collections.

State-level response: Dr. Molly Hart (new superintendent) said USBE model policy includes selection criteria and that selection ultimately rests with the LEA. “Our model policy that we prepare for LEAs for their reference does include selection criteria, but it is up ultimately up to the LEA to make the decision if it's gonna go in their policy or not,” Hart said; she indicated the state board can provide resources and training but historically has been careful to limit rulemaking to what is in statute.

President Adams moved that auditors continue limited review of content flagged by parents and legislators; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. Adams later moved to refer a performance audit of sensitive materials to the Education Interim Committee (lead) and the Public Education Appropriations Committee (review); the committee approved that referral as well.