Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) announced Tuesday that its state‑appointed board of managers voted 7‑0 to dissolve the School Library Advisory Council (SLAC). The decision follows a request from council chair Layne Craig, a Fort Worth ISD educator and mother of two students, who said the council created unnecessary obstacles for librarians trying to acquire books for schools.
Why the council was eliminated
Craig told the board on Nov. 10 that SLAC “is a hindrance to our district’s librarians” and does not provide a meaningful service to parents or students. She explained that council members spent hours each month reviewing long lists of proposed titles, often delaying the board’s ability to vote on purchases. “This results in a delay of the board being able to vote on the proposed list, and thus the librarians being able to purchase books for our students, not because of a problem with the list, but because of a problem with the process,” Craig said.
Support from other council members
Vice‑president of the Fort Worth ISD Council of PTAs, Zach Leonard, backed the proposal. Leonard, who also leads the advocacy group Families Organized & Responding to Takeover, argued that professional librarians already have the training to evaluate books before they reach students. “Adding a second, slower layer of volunteer review on top of it creates delay without adding much protection,” he said.
How the new process will work
Under the updated policy, librarians and other professional staff will continue to evaluate proposed library materials to ensure they meet district standards and state requirements, including Senate Bill 13, which mandates transparency and parental access to information about school books. The board will retain final authority to accept or reject purchases.
At least 30 days before any board vote, the district must publish a list of proposed materials, giving parents and community members a chance to inspect them. Objections will be reviewed by a committee that includes a librarian and at least one instructional staff member familiar with the material.
Impact on students and staff
Craig said eliminating SLAC will allow librarians to focus on delivering books rather than navigating an extra layer of review. “Eliminating the SLAC will get books in children’s hands faster and make school librarians’ jobs easier,” she added.
The board’s decision reflects a broader effort to streamline district operations while preserving parental involvement and transparency required by state law. By removing the volunteer council, FWISD aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and ensure that educational resources reach classrooms promptly.
Background
FWISD created the advisory council in 2025 after Senate Bill 13 was enacted, allowing districts to form such councils but not requiring them. The council was intended to scrutinize library acquisitions and offer suggestions to the school board. After nearly a year of meetings, district officials concluded that the council’s work duplicated that of professional staff.
FWISD manager Pete Geren, who leads the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, disclosed a financial relationship with the Fort Worth Report, while manager Laurie George serves on the publication’s reader advisory council. The Fort Worth Report maintains editorial independence from its board members and supporters.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
