On Protecting Our Students and Building Trust in School Libraries

Over the past week, I received a thoughtful message from a community member concerned about the content of certain books found in school libraries. The question was direct — and important: How could explicit or inappropriate material make its way into our schools, and what can be done to prevent that from happening again?

These are fair questions that deserve transparent, honest answers. As both a parent and a school trustee candidate, I share these concerns deeply. Pornography has no place in our schools — full stop. Our libraries should be safe, welcoming spaces that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and the joy of reading — not controversy or confusion.

But it’s not enough to simply remove a book after an outcry. We need to ask:

• Who is responsible for approving these materials?

• What checks and balances exist to ensure age-appropriate content?

• Why has it taken so long for some of these issues to come to light?

Trustees have a responsibility to ask these questions respectfully, not to inflame division, but to strengthen the systems that keep students safe and parents confident.

As a trustee, I would advocate for local, transparent, and accountable review processes. When concerns arise, they should be handled in partnership — between schools, parents, and our communities — with clarity around who makes decisions and how those decisions are communicated. Trust is built through open conversation, not secrecy or top-down directives.

Ultimately, every child deserves a learning environment that reflects care, safety, and respect. Our public schools should be places where students are empowered to explore ideas — within clear boundaries that protect their well-being and honour family values.

I remain committed to ensuring that those boundaries are upheld, that the review process is transparent, and that decisions about educational materials are made thoughtfully, locally, and with accountability to the families we serve.

Because protecting our students isn’t just about what’s removed from shelves — it’s about how we build systems of trust and integrity that guide every decision in our schools.