The Bible is back on the shelves of Canyon Independent School District (CISD) libraries after a temporary removal prompted by House Bill 900, also known as the READER Act. The state law bans sexually explicit material from school libraries and requires a thorough review of library resources by districts and vendors.
"The initial removal of the Bible was undertaken to align with House Bill 900, which mandates stricter oversight of educational materials to ensure they meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. Canyon ISD conducted a thorough review of its library contents to adhere to the updated state guidelines, aiming to maintain an inclusive and legally compliant educational environment," Canyon ISD said in a statement.
What Prompted the Removal?
House Bill 900 mandates that a contextual analysis be conducted on library materials to determine whether they depict sexual conduct in a manner deemed "patently offensive." CISD initially determined that the Bible fell under this restriction, citing passages that describe sexual conduct.
Superintendent Darryl Flusche informed parents via email of the decision:
House Bill 900, which passed during the last legislative session, establishes library standards that restrict content in school libraries. This standard for library content prohibits books that have one instance of sexual content as described above. Therefore, HB 900 doesn’t allow numerous books, including the full text of the Bible, to be available in the school library.
Community Reaction
The decision sparked outrage among some parents and community members. During a Dec. 9 school board meeting, parent Regina Keeney criticized the move:
It seems absurd to me that the Good Book was thrown out with the bad books. In a day where we are needing security guards, and bulletproof windows and doors, I think having the word of God available to our children can not only be preventative to violence but also provide comfort and a sense of security in a chaotic world.
Local lawmakers echoed these sentiments. Senator Kevin Sparks called the Bible’s removal "legally and morally indefensible," emphasizing its educational and moral value. Congressman Ronny Jackson took to Facebook, labeling the decision a “VIOLATION of Texas state law” and demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Bible in CISD libraries.
The Bible Returns
CISD clarified its position on Thursday, stating that reports of a Bible ban did not tell the full story. Following feedback and clarification from the bill’s author, Representative Jared Patterson, the district reevaluated the law’s guidelines and restored the Bible to its libraries.
Recent reports claiming Canyon ISD has removed the Bible from our schools don’t tell the whole story. The Bible has always been, and continues to be, available in our schools to support instructional resources and meet all TEKS requirements. This longstanding practice has not changed. Additionally, our libraries contain books about the Bible, including Bible stories, which remain available to our students.Following the passage of House Bill 900, Canyon ISD conducted a comprehensive review of library materials to ensure compliance with updated state guidelines.After receiving clarification from Representative Patterson regarding library content, we reevaluated the guidelines and are pleased to have the Bible available in each of our Canyon ISD libraries.
A Complex Controversy
The temporary removal highlights the challenges of implementing the READER Act, which was authored by Patterson and co-authored by State Representatives Four Price, John Smithee, and Ken King. The law aims to protect students from exposure to inappropriate materials but has also drawn criticism for its sweeping nature and potential for unintended consequences.
