Lubbock — A local chapter of Turning Point USA gathered Monday evening to press Lubbock ISD to remove books it says are inappropriate for students, prompting the district to note that its review procedures are governed by state law and to schedule a special-called board meeting that will include Library Materials Appeal Hearings.
Parents’ complaints, activist spotlight
Several dozen members of Turning Point USA and community supporters attended the news conference, where organizers spotlighted what they described as potentially harmful books and other materials available in Lubbock ISD libraries. Stephen Lara, representing the local chapter, singled out three titles he said should not be accessible to district students: Crank, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and The Female of the Species.
Turning Point’s release accompanying the event said more than 130 book review requests had been submitted to the district. Organizers argued those requests had not prompted adequate action and that the district’s review and removal process is unclear or cumbersome for parents seeking changes.
LISD response and next steps
In a statement issued after the gathering, Lubbock ISD said district policies align with state law and emphasized that parents, students and employees have access to a reporting mechanism to challenge library materials. That mechanism, the district noted, initiates a review and can lead to a school board decision to remove materials deemed age-inappropriate.
The Board of Trustees has scheduled a special-called meeting for 5 p.m. Aug. 19 at the administration building board room, 1628 19th St. The agenda will include two Library Materials Appeal Hearings, among other items.
“Lubbock ISD’s policies are in line with state law,” the district said in its statement following the event.
What’s at issue
At its core, the dispute centers on how the district interprets state standards for materials made available to students and how it handles requests from parents and community members who seek review or removal of titles. Turning Point USA’s local organizers assert that some books currently accessible through LISD libraries fail to meet Texas standards and that the district has been slow or ineffective in responding to concerns.
- Books identified by Turning Point USA: Crank; Me and Earl and the Dying Girl; The Female of the Species
- Number of book review requests cited: more than 130, according to Turning Point’s release
- District action: Special-called Board of Trustees meeting at 5 p.m. Aug. 19 with Library Materials Appeal Hearings
Local implications
The issue draws in parents, students, teachers and administrators and could affect how the district manages library collections going forward. Decisions from appeal hearings — and any subsequent board actions — will set local precedent for how quickly materials can be removed or retained and how transparent the review process will be for members of the public.
School districts across Texas have faced similar disputes in recent years as communities debate what materials are appropriate for different age groups. In Lubbock, the immediate outcome will hinge on the hearings scheduled for Tuesday night and any follow-up action by the Board of Trustees.
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Special-called Board meeting | 5 p.m., Aug. 19 | Administration building board room, 1628 19th St. |
| Library Materials Appeal Hearings | Included on Aug. 19 agenda | Same location |
Residents who wish to follow the hearings are advised to consult the district’s public agenda and watch for further announcements from Lubbock ISD regarding procedures for public comment and timelines for any decisions.
The coming days will show whether the district’s existing review mechanism addresses the concerns raised by Turning Point USA organizers and parents — or whether additional policy changes or clarifications will be pursued by the board.
