Controversy Erupts As Canyon Schools Remove Full Bible From Libraries

A decision by Canyon Independent School District to temporarily remove full copies of the Bible from its libraries has ignited a fierce debate about the intersection of education, legislation, and values in Texas schools.

The removal stemmed from compliance with House Bill 900, also known as the READER Act, a new law passed in 2023 aimed at regulating the content in school libraries. The law bans books containing "sexually explicit" material unless they are directly tied to curriculum standards. Initially, the district determined that the Bible’s content fell under these restrictions.

Superintendent Dr. Darryl Flusche acknowledged the decision in an email to parents, explaining that while some Bible-related titles remained available, the full text was removed to adhere to the law. The district offered assurances that students could still receive copies of the Bible through partnerships with local churches.

The move sparked immediate backlash from parents and community leaders. At a December 9 school board meeting, Regina Kiehne, a parent with two children in the district, voiced her frustration, saying, “It seems absurd to me that the Good Book was thrown out with the bad books.” She emphasized the Bible’s historical and moral value, calling it “the bestselling book of all time.”

State Senator Kevin Sparks also criticized the district’s decision, describing the removal as “legally and morally indefensible.” Sparks and other leaders argued that the Bible does not meet the criteria for exclusion under the law.

After reviewing the situation and consulting with Rep. Jared Patterson, who authored the READER Act, Canyon ISD reversed its decision and restored the Bible to library shelves. The district emphasized that its initial removal was a precaution to comply with the new law’s guidelines.

This controversy raises important questions about balancing legislative mandates with community values. It serves as a reminder that laws impacting education can have far-reaching and often unexpected consequences.