Edmond Public Schools takes legal action against the State board of Education
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — Edmond Public Schools is asking the State Supreme Court to rule on who has the authority to remove books from a public library.
The Edmond School Board voted unanimously to file a petition with the court to determine if the rules adopted and enforced by the State Department of Education (SDOE) are valid under Oklahoma Law.
”We do not advise our clients to run to the courthouse every time there is a legal dispute. Litigation is the method of last resort. However, when there is disagreement between the legislative and executive branches of our government, the Oklahoma Supreme Court is an appropriate venue to seek clarification of Oklahoma law. The district's filing today seeks exactly that,” F. Andrew Fugitt, EPS Legal Counsel said.
EPS Superintendent Dr. Angela Grunewald said “we did not ask to be in this position today but the district has little choice. If we remove the books without following long standing policy, we risk being sued and forfeiting local control. If we do not remove the books, we risk the SDE lowering the district's accreditation. The district will always stand for local control and seek to protect the district’s accreditation for its students and parents. With this action, the district asks the Supreme Court to delay any action based on library books until the court determines if the rules upon which they are based are valid under Oklahoma law."
The district has been ordered by Superintendent Ryan Walters to remove two books to be removed from the library.
EPS has a policy for any parent to seek review and possible removal of any materials in the libraries. The district goes on to say federal court decisions have found that local school boards and superintendents may not unilaterally remove materials from public school libraries without following the policy of the district.
EPS has been ordered to appear at this week's State School Board Meeting to explain their decision. Officials say the SDOE has threatened the district with lowering their accreditation.
KFOR has contacted the SDOE for comment but have not heard back as the publication time of this article.
This is a developing story.