Higley board approves supplemental novels list amid division over content 

By Tom Blodgett
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The Higley Unified School District Governing Board voted 3–2 Tuesday to approve a new list of supplemental novels recommended by the Sixth–12th Grades Novel Committee, sparking a passionate debate over age-appropriate content and parental choice.  

The board also unanimously approved supplemental instructional materials recommended by the PreK–12 Supplemental Materials Committee. 

The committee process on novels began earlier this year and involved parent and community feedback. Mary Davis, Higley’s professional development director, said 15 parents completed a survey on the novel list, which has 17 books, with 93% agreeing the books met state standards and promoted critical thinking and meaningful discussion. 

However, Board Member Anna Van Hoek raised concerns about the low response rate and the nature of the content.  

“It is disappointing that only 15 parents complete a survey, but I will say that the structure of survey’s a bit complicated,” Van Hoek said.  

She also criticized the lack of committee dissent. 

“I am deeply concerned the committee did not reject a single book, which raises serious concerns about why adults in a school setting feel it’s OK to put such content in the hands and minds of students,” Van Hoek said, reading a statement she prepared. “We should require a written explanation for why each book was approved, including any concerns that were raised and why those concerns were ignored.” 

Concerns escalated with warnings about exposing minors to graphic material.  

“This responsibility (of the board) is undermined when we allow inappropriate books into classrooms, books containing graphics, sexual content, explicit language, violence and other mature themes unsuitable for minors,” Van Hoek added.  

Van Hoek also argued the legal precedent, noting a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared lewd conduct inconsistent with the values of public education. 

Board Member Sara Jarman echoed those sentiments. 

“I'm an advocate for protecting the sanctity and innocence of our youth,” she said. “There is certain topics that need to be addressed at home.”  

She also expressed concern about the labeling of books. 

“I'm kind of frustrated that this only says sensitive content,” she said. “I wish it said sexual content. That way it really helps parents to know what this entails.” 

However, other board members defended the process and emphasized parental control and the ability to opt out of their child reading a novel. 

 “There are permission slips that are given before the book is there,” President Amanda Wade said. “That is a policy. We even updated the permission slip of what they looked like last summer. At the end of the day, what this does is choice.”  

She praised the committee’s diversity, noting, “Every single individual in that committee who are different human persons with different thoughts, beliefs, et cetera, all felt that at the end of the day it was more academically rigorous.” 

Of the 17 books on the list, six require permission slips because of sensitive material, including four that have some sexually explicit material. The state law allows such material to be taught if “the material possesses serious educational value for minors or possesses serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.” 

The debate touched on how opting out affects students.  

“Yes, parents have the option to opt children out,” Van Hoek said. “But the unfortunate thing, those children who do opt out can't be in the classroom when the book was discussed. And that's not fair. In a school environment, we shouldn’t even have these books, let alone force the kids that opt out to be in a separate classroom.” 

Vice President Tiffany Shultz pushed back. 

“These books are real world scenarios and historical events and things that have happened,” she said. “We're not asking children to read porn or anything that could clutter their mind.” 

Shortly after the vote, the board turned to the PreK–12 supplemental materials, which received less scrutiny.  

Davis said the district received 11 public feedback responses on the materials with everyone agreeing they aligned with Arizona state standards and 91% of parents strongly agreeing or agreeing that the material promoted critical thinking and essential skills. 

The board unanimously approved the supplemental materials for instructional use in the 2025–26 school year. 

We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X. 

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).