After the Mat-Su School Board voted last week to approve a citizen library advisory committee to ensure schools do not violate state law by disseminating sexually explicit materials to minors, the district issued a June 1 update, explaining how the new committee will work.

On May 24, the school board passed two agenda items spelling out how the library committee will work. Each of the seven school board members will choose one person from their district to serve on the committee. These members cannot be current school employees. Six other members will be chosen by the district superintendent from current school district employees. In total the board will consist of 13 members.

Widespread controversy erupted earlier this year with the revelation that multiple school libraries had books containing detailed descriptions of masturbation, anal and oral sex, sex toys, pole dancing, sex parties, dominatrix, foul language, descriptions of graphic and violent rape, gay teen sex encounters, gender transitioning characters and more.

Once finalized, all members of the new library committee will be included in a directory and available to the public. Recommendations or decisions the advisory group brings forward to the administration or school board will also be available for the public to see.

The library committee will serve in a strictly advisory capacity and will not enact policy.

Committee Meetings will be held monthly on the second Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. at the School District Administration Building (501 North Gulkana Street, Palmer). The first meeting will be on Thursday, August 10.

TAKING ACTION

— Those who are still interested in serving on this committee must submit this short survey by June 8 at 12 p.m.

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