1,000 signatures reached
To: Conroe ISD Board of Trustees, parents, educators, students, community members
Keep Books in Conroe ISD Classrooms
SIGN THIS Petition to Pause Classroom Library Book Removals in Conroe ISD
Did you know:
Did you know:
- Right now, thousands of books are being removed from Conroe ISD classroom library shelves without clear understanding as to why and what's next.
- Parents are not even aware! Students are losing access to their classroom books at a shocking rate and parents are only now, if at all, finding out! There is NO transparency.
- Many classrooms are losing 70-80%+ of their classroom literature - books that are approved like Clifford, The Berenstain Bears, Harry Potter, Dr. Seuss, Peppa Pig, etc.
Let's STOP this to get clarity and transparency, an efficient and defined process and avoid unreasonably draining our districts resources.
Over the past six months, parents, teachers, and community members have raised concerns with Conroe ISD’s administration and Board of Trustees about the overwhelming workload and widespread removal of books resulting from the district’s classroom library cataloguing process.
In response to Texas Senate Bill 13 (SB 13), Conroe ISD’s Board of Trustees voted to require schools to catalogue classroom library books using the Destiny District Classroom Library Manager system. However, this process relies on matching ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers), which can differ even when the book’s title and content are identical. As a result, books are being unnecessarily removed from classroom shelves.
For example, the classic Charlotte’s Web may have different ISBNs for its hardcover, paperback, and library editions. Under the current process, a classroom copy could be flagged for removal simply because its ISBN does not match the copy in the school library—even though it is the same book.
The process, combined with the district’s deadline for completion, has created confusion and an unreasonable burden on teachers, school staff, and parent volunteers. Meanwhile, thousands of books are being boxed up and placed out of students’ reach. Every book removed is a lost opportunity for a child to read and learn.
Other Texas school districts have adopted approaches to complying with SB 13 that do not rely solely on ISBN matching to evaluate classroom books. Conroe ISD should explore these alternatives rather than continue a process that profoundly limits students’ access to books.
We, the undersigned parents, educators, and community members, call on the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees and district administration to:
- Immediately pause the current classroom library cataloguing process and any related book removals.
- Return books already removed to classroom shelves unless specific title and author of a book is expressly prohibited under state law.
- Review and revise the district’s EFB Library Policy and classroom library procedures, with input from parents, teachers, and school staff, to establish a clear, practical process and timeline.
Our schools deserve a reasonable process, our teachers deserve support, and our children deserve access to books. We urge the Board of Trustees to act now, before more books disappear from our classrooms.
Why is this important?
Research has shown that students with access to rich classroom libraries read 50%-60% more than students without access.
63% of students get most of their books from school classrooms, school libraries and public libraries.
Classroom libraries are not simply books on a shelf. They are essential tools for guaranteeing equal access to literature and promoting independent reading.
Our public school resources are already limited. Let's conserve what we have without having to request and spend tax dollars for senseless removals we do not understand. Let's do better with what we have. Let's give the village that helps raise our children the support it deserves.
How it will be delivered
Next Conroe ISD Board Meeting (held the 3rd Tuesday of each month)
November 17, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m.
Walter P. Jett Teaching and Learning Center
19043 David Memorial Dr
Shenandoah, TX 77385