The revised book policy for Park County School District 1 is slated for first reading during the Feb. 14 school board meeting, which brings the draft one step closer to being institutional policy for the district.

Behind the first draft are 21 members of a special committee including eight members of the community who either represent the community at large or as a parent of children in the district within a specific age range. 

Representing the community on the committee are Karrie Tracy and Dona Becker. Representing parents in the district are Lacee Hooper, Curtis Rohrer, Bridget Williams, Michael McMillin, Christine Hull and Ryan Gorsuch.

“I have been following this issue for some time. I attended the school board meetings in Cody and have seen their book process in action,” Becker said. “I felt that I was able to give some insights about things that worked well and things that didn’t.”

For Becker, whose two children are Powell graduates, a clear policy means that parents will have all of the information they need to make decisions about their children’s reading material.

Williams, who has six children in the school district and attended public school and college, hopes the policy will help to find common ground in what is a divisive topic for many.

“I feel like my role is to be an advocate not only for my kids but for other parents in the community,” Williams said.

The current draft of the policy will provide “physical checklists” for parents to consult, Williams said. 

Following first reading the policy will be sent out into the community for review and input. It will then come back to the board for a second reading and, if needed, a third reading will be conducted before the policy is approved. 

Once approved, at least eight challenged books will be reviewed under the new policy.