December 1, 2022
(Frisco, TX) — Yesterday, Frisco ISD Board of Trustees voted to remove five out of seven sexually explicit books from district circulation. All seven titles were among the group of books that Rep. Jared Patterson initially requested formal reconsideration in August of this year. Since that time, five books were removed by local reconsideration committees, sixteen books were removed by senior district leadership, and five books were removed by school board decision, bringing the total books removed to 26 out of 28 requested, a 93% success rate in requested reconsideration of titles. Other than Rep. Patterson’s reconsideration requests, the past year has shown major policy changes in multiple school districts across House District 106. Frisco, Denton, Prosper, and Little Elm ISDs, all passed school board policies to address reconsideration and removal procedures as it pertains to library books.
“Parents are proving their voice matters, and when it comes to our children, we will work to protect them from sexually inappropriate materials at all costs. Despite numerous local victories that include local policy changes, improved stakeholder meetings, enhanced transparency surrounding the topic, and a growing list of needed titles removed, more action is required to fully address the issue at hand.” stated Rep. Patterson. “This upcoming session, I will be filing legislation that seeks to remove these titles through policy solutions that hold bad actors accountable, improve transparency, and work to give parents greater agency in protecting their children from sexually explicit material. It’s time the state moves to protect all Texas children from material they should have never had access to in the first place.”
Jared Patterson represents House District 106, which encompasses the eastern portion of Denton County. During the 86th Legislative Session, Patterson authored and passed initiatives in policy areas such as transportation, education, property taxes, as well as eliminated unnecessary and burdensome government regulations. Patterson serves on the House Committees on Business & Industry, Calendars, and Homeland Security & Public Safety. He also serves on the Texas Cybersecurity Council. His family resides in Frisco.
