St. Francis Schools hit with 2 lawsuits over controversial book policy
Book debate between St. Francis parents, district
Some parents in St. Francis Area Schools (SFAS) are arguing back against the district’s policy on restricting some literature for students. FOX 9’s Soyoung Kim has the latest.
ST. FRANCIS, Minn. (FOX 9) - St. Francis Area Schools (SFAS) received two separate lawsuits on Monday challenging the district’s book policy.
The complaints allege the school district is banning books "unlawfully".
Book ban debate grows
The backstory:
The policy at the center of this controversy is the district’s Library Materials Policy the school board passed last year.
The policy relies on a book ratings website called Book Looks to filter what books can make the district’s library shelves.
Critics of the policy have taken issue with relying on a singular, outside source to decide what should be on the district’s library shelves.
Supporters of the policy said it is in place to protect students from any harmful material.
Legal battle:
Education Minnesota St. Francis filed a lawsuit on Monday alleging the district banning books violates state law by discriminating against certain viewpoints.
The union filed a complaint in Anoka County District Court on behalf of eight students in the school district. All eight students have parents who are teachers.
Education Minnesota said the purpose of the lawsuit is not to seek any monetary damages or attorney’s fees, but to reverse the book bans.
The ACLU of Minnesota also filed a similar lawsuit against the school district on Monday.
"The St. Francis Book Looks policy is a particularly egregious violation of St. Francis students’ constitutional right to free speech, to receive information, and to a uniform an adequate education," said Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, ACLU Minnesota attorney.
"We want the local ability to look at our books, decide which books are best for kids, have healthy conversations between parents, educators, and school board," said Ryan Fiereck, Education Minnesota St. Francis president.
What's next:
Board Chair Nathan Burr said he is not able to comment on any details of the lawsuits at this time, but did confirm both lawsuits are being reviewed by the district’s legal team.
Burr said the district is committed to transparency and addressing them thoroughly and appropriately.
The Source: St. Francis Area Schools, Education Minnesota, ACLU Minnesota