Tiffany Johnson

I oppose this bill as it creates a state-mandated complaint system for virtually any material in a school. Local school districts already have their own policies to address curriculum and material concerns. Parents already have the right to guide their own child’s education and request alternate assignments when needed.  This bill would require school districts to adapt curriculum for all based off of one parent’s personal preferences, and does not require the other parents to be informed of these changes or provide them a forum to voice any opposition. It puts the decision in the hands of the principal and superintendents to make constitutional decisions with no clear standards. The bill’s vague standards invite abuse, inconsistent enforcement and expose districts to costly litigation. If material truly violates obscenity law, courts already exist to make that determination. We should not place superintendents in the position of making constitutional judgments under unclear statutory language. Please protect students’ access to educational materials, respect local governance, and vote NO on SB 434.