The Book Banners Are Back
Jennifer Peterson files a petition to have a judge remove books that were restored by the current Board to school library shelves.
By Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR & CORRESPONDENT
Email Adele
A Spotsylvania parent this week filed a 180-page petition in Circuit Court asking a judge to order the removal from school libraries of any books that meet definitions of material that is considered sexually explicit.
The petition was filed by Jennifer Peterson who was responsible for initiating challenges of at least 70 books in 2022 and 2023.
Former superintendent Mark Taylor ordered the removal of 37 of those titles from school libraries, but that decision was reversed by the current School Board in January.
Peterson’s petition—which she filed on her own behalf listing School Board members Lorita Daniels (Chair), Nicole Cole (Vice Chair), Megan Jackson, Carol Medawar, and Belen Rodas as defendants—asks the judge to “remove these books and any other books which fall under Virginia Code section 18.2-390.”
“I also pray that this Honorable Judge and Court make a declaratory judgement between Spotsylvania County Public Schools, School Board, and the parents of the students which fall under their purview,” the petition continues. “Finally, I pray that this Honorable Judge and Court issue an injunction to remove the current books which are listed in this petition and to prevent their return as well as any books which fall under Virginia Code 18.2-390.”
The referenced code section defines material that is illegal to be sold, rented, or loaned to a juvenile.
The same code section goes on to state that it does not apply to the “purchase, distribution, exhibition, or loan of any work of art, book, magazine, or other printed or manuscript material by any accredited museum, library, school, or institution of higher education.”
Peterson also alleges that the School Board violated a Virginia Code section having to do with management of funds; and a section stating that “the entire scheme of instruction in the public schools shall emphasize moral education through lessons given by teachers and imparted by appropriate reading selections”; and the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act; as well as Title IX.
Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Local Obituaries
To view local obituaries or to send a note to family and loved ones, please visit our website at the link that follows.
Support Award-winning, Locally Focused Journalism
The FXBG Advance cuts through the talking points to deliver both incisive and informative news about the issues, people, and organizations that daily affect your life. And we do it in a multi-partisan format that has no equal in this region. Over the past month, our reporting was:
First to report on a Spotsylvania School teacher arrested for bringing drugs onto campus.
First to report on new facility fees leveled by MWHC on patient bills.
First to detail controversial traffic numbers submitted by Stafford staff on the Buc-ee’s project
Provided extensive coverage of the cellphone bans that are sweeping local school districts.
And so much more, like Clay Jones, Drew Gallagher, Hank Silverberg, and more.
For just $8 a month, you can help support top-flight journalism that puts people over policies.
Your contributions 100% support our journalists.
Help us as we continue to grow!
This zombie issue simply will not die.
I'm sick of reading and hearing about it, but bless Adele Uphaus for reporting on it; I have to imagine she gets tired of it as well.
Thanks for covering it, FXBG Advance! :)
I hope the Advance didn’t have to pay for a copy of the 180 page petition I also hope that the school board does not have to pay for an attorney to defend against the petition.