The ongoing community debate about what books should be selected for, or removed from, Katy Independent School District libraries continued at Monday’s school trustee meeting.

The regularly scheduled trustee meeting followed last week’s Katy ISD “Freadom Week,” a student-led initiative in which students distributed 170+ books to about 150 students at several district high schools.

Cameron Samuels, a Seven Lakes High School student who was among the leaders, said on social media that the books were BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) affirming. Samuels said more books are expected to be distributed at future events.

Samuels told trustees he relied on LGBTQ-affirming literature when he was younger and learning who he was.

“The impact is nothing but positive,” Samuels told trustees. “We need to be represented in the literature we read in class. Censorship is not the legacy to create.”

Another speaker, Shannon Flores, said she strongly opposed removing books for any reasons, adding that queer students are more likely to experience bullying and isolation.

“We are a diverse community, though you wouldn’t think it by looking at the makeup of the board,” Flores said.

Not everyone agreed. Mary Ellen Cuzela, a district substitute teacher, said she did not understand how district officials were unaware of the “Freadom Week” book distribution initiative. She said books were distributed at Seven Lakes, Taylor and Jordan high schools.

“Ahead of the event, I asked for a list of the books, but the school didn’t have it,” Cuzela said. “I know of a few parents who tried to attend the meetings, but the doors were locked. An assistant principle told one mother that parents were not allowed. Why?”

One book that Cuzela expressed concerns about is “Flamer,” by Mike Curato.

“This is a book currently under review by the district for vulgarity,” Cuzela said. “Allowing this book to be handed out at a ‘freadom’ event on school campuses behind locked doors is beyond unacceptable, and complicit with sharing harmful information with minors.”

Cuzela said her opposition to this particular book, or books like these, was not about book banning. She said these titles were available in public libraries and bookstores. Nor, she said, were they solutions providing guidance to LGBTQ students.

“It is about protecting children from this kind of sexual detail,” Cuzela said. “It’s porn in print.”

Superintendent Ken Gregorski said the district has followed board policy on book evaluation and possible removal from libraries.

“No books have been removed for content for which someone may or may not agree with,” Gregorski said.

The district created an app last December to enable parent feedback on books purchased for school libraries. Feedback gathered through the app would help district officials decide to keep or remove a particular book.

For more information on the app and to download it, visit the website https://www.katyisd.org/dept/technology/instructionaltechnology/library/Pages/Online-Book-Review.aspx