NYSUT takes action on Clyde-Savannah litigation during Banned Books Week

During Banned Books Week 2024, NYSUT is preparing to file a motion to intervene in Albany County Supreme Court to oppose Moms for Liberty and its efforts to promote censorship in New York State public schools. As our members know, when schools or community members seek to challenge or ban books, it not only violates the academic freedom of our teachers and librarians, but it also violates our students' First Amendment rights.

Last year, NYSUT challenged an attempt by Moms for Liberty to ban books by authors who represent minority or marginalized people and ideas from the Clyde-Savannah Central School District. When Moms for Liberty and another political organization, the American Center for Law & Justice, brought their book-banning agenda to the New York Commissioner of Education, NYSUT filed an amicus brief opposing the book ban and supporting intellectual and academic freedom.

On April 25, 2024, the Commissioner issued a well-reasoned opinion upholding the decision of the Clyde-Savannah Board of Education to retain the five challenged books in the school library's collection.

NYSUT agrees with and supports the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Education's guidance, which cautions that school districts "cannot respond to local electorates or stakeholders by banning curricular materials that accurately portray and critically analyze topics related to protected classes such as race, national origin, gender (including gender identity and expression), or sexual orientation." 

NYSUT looks forward to working in coordination with the Clyde-Savannah Board of Education and New York State Attorney General's Office to uphold the Commissioner's decision and to preserve literary freedom for students and educators across New York State.

"NYSUT will continue to fight against dangerous book bans based on fear and division, because students have a right to see themselves in the books that they read and in their curriculums," said NYSUT President Melinda Person. "Our librarians and educators are experts in choosing age-appropriate materials for our schools, and they care deeply about their students, their communities, and our democracy."