'Sexually graphic' books won't be removed from Bedford Co. schools

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Bedford County school staff recommended keeping 11 books containing what some called "concerning" content on the shelf, after parents asked to remove them.

However, some parents said they were left out of the decision process.

"It didn't sit well that these had been reviewed without the complainant being a part of those conversations," said Amy Snead, chair of Moms for Liberty Bedford County chapter.

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In November, the group asked the school board to remove 12 books with graphic sexual content.

Snead thought she was going to be involved in all of the book reviews, but got quite the surprise at last week's school board meeting.

"Tonight is the first I've learned that any of those other books had been discussed with a committee that I was not a part of," she said at that meeting.

Snead said she was part of the first book review back in December. Last she heard, they weren't meeting again until they set a policy on the process for the reviews but said that wasn't the case.

"I think it's only with due respect that you would have included us in these conversations, or perhaps even let us know those conversations had happened," said Snead.

Right now, teachers, administrators and librarians review the books.

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School board member Marcus Hill said he, too, is concerned Snead wasn't included in the remaining 11 reviews.

"I do think it could have been handled much differently to keep her updated with where we were in the process," said Hill

But he said the decision isn't final.

"Let me just say, that is a recommendation from the staff. So, the board has not taken any formal action," said Hill.

Bedford County Public Schools released a statement about this process saying:

"BCPS staff used the division's existing policy, KLB, to guide all steps taken after the challenge that originally surfaced at the November board meeting."

Hill also said he is working with the superintendent to discuss policies moving forward.