Fairfax School Board Member Sworn In With Hand on Controversial, ‘Banned’ Books

EdNews Virginia | December 14, 2023

Fairfax County School Board Member Karl Frisch was sworn in to a second term Wednesday night — with his hand on a stack of five highly controversial, ostensibly “banned” books. The five books were “LGBTQ-themed” in nature, according to Blue Virginia:

All five books are currently available from Amazon and other booksellers, notwithstanding claims they are “banned.”

“Fairfax County residents want safe and inclusive schools with exceptional, well-compensated educators and equitable access to the rigorous academic and enrichment opportunities every student needs to succeed,” Frisch said Wednesday night. “I am grateful for the trust Providence District families have placed in me, and with tonight’s Oath, I commit to standing strong for these values and advancing these priorities with my new and returning colleagues.”

While some activists hailed Frisch’s use of “banned” books for his swearing-in, others criticized the move. “Families wanting age-appropriate material in their children’s schools is NOT ‘book banning,’ it’s common sense,” Parents Defending Education‘s Nicki Neily posted on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday morning.

https://twitter.com/nickineily/status/1735293057879113766