A Williamson County School Board member is questioning the state’s updated law on “age appropriate” school books, calling it an unfunded mandate and likely unconstitutional.
Board member Rick Wimberly, who is not seeking re-election after 13 years, told the Tennessee Lookout that as the Williamson County board tries to adhere to the law, it is finding the measure “impractical.” He made calculations showing if librarians spend 15 minutes each on just 15% of the district’s 600,000 selections, it would take up 30% of their time for the year.
“It’s quite cumbersome, and as our lawyers say, it’s constitutionally suspect. … It’s pretty clear that it is,” Wimberly said.
He expects the law to be challenged in court, even though the Williamson County School Board is trying to put together a policy to meet the requirements.