Forest Hills superintendent outlines draft library access options, calls for MMC handbook and restored district librarian role

Superintendent (Speaker 12) told the Forest Hills Board of Education on Feb. 20 that the district will pursue a coordinated overhaul of media center procedures to address inconsistencies in how books are acquired, cataloged and weeded across schools. He said the district holds about a quarter of a million books and that staffing reductions over the past decade left uneven practices that the district now intends to correct.

The superintendent proposed three parental-access options for media materials: keep current self-selection; a notification/prompt system where parents receive alerts or can preselect authors/titles to block for their child; or a model in which parents provide books for their child in the media center. He emphasized the district’s intent is not to “ban knowledge” but to provide choice and transparency for families while ensuring materials tie to curriculum and student interest.

Why it matters: Board members and the public raised repeated concerns that inconsistent practices have allowed mature or controversial material to be cataloged or made available inappropriately. The superintendent framed the effort as practical fixes — improved MMC (media materials coordinator) training, an MMC handbook, better use of cataloging and checkout data, and reposting a central media specialist position — intended to reduce ad-hoc removals and make decisions more deliberate and transparent.

What the superintendent said: “We are not banning books,” Superintendent (Speaker 12) said, adding the goal is to make “our collections vibrant, representative and aligned with curriculum” and to make it easier for parents to see what is available and to set preferences. He described a training and leadership structure with elementary, middle and high-level MMC leads (Sarah Zietz, Teresa Vance and Yvonne, respectively) and a cross-building coordination role led by instructional coach Gabby Kokanakis.

Board and public response: Board members asked for clearer reporting and documentation when materials are removed, and several asked that the opt-in/opt-out mechanics be designed to avoid burdening families. Speaker 13 asked whether the district had removed books without following policy; the superintendent said administrators have authority to address problematic items and that the board’s book review policy provides a multi-step reconsideration process if informal resolution fails. Public commenters gave mixed views: Becky Olson (Speaker 2) characterized the controversy as part of a broader pattern of harassment toward marginalized students, while others (multiple public speakers) cited examples of explicit or graphic titles they said had been on shelves and asked for stronger safeguards.

What's next: The superintendent said the draft options remain under development and that district staff will return with an updated MMC handbook, staffing proposals (including reposting a district media specialist), and recommendations for technology or catalog tools to make parental choices feasible. The board did not take a final vote on the draft options; the matter will return to committee and future board meetings for further refinement.

Who spoke on this topic (selected): Superintendent (Speaker 12); Sarah Zietz (MMC at Pine Ridge); Teresa Vance (MMC at Northern); Gabby Kokanakis (instructional coach); Becky Olson (public commenter); Jarrett Jakobowski (public commenter).