Davis restricts the Bible, then restores it on appeal
December 11, 2022–June 20, 2023 · Utah: Davis
On December 11, 2022, Davis School District received a request to review the King James Bible. The policy in effect required access to remain the same during review.
Show the dated details
On May 22, 2023, the review committee found no bright-line violation, meaning the Bible passed the test for certain sexual content. A separate age review limited it to high school libraries. That review weighed its content against its serious value for minors.
Davis received appeals on May 31, 2023. Three school board members reviewed the decision and later recommended access at every grade level. They concluded that the Bible’s significant, serious value for minors under community standards outweighed its violent or vulgar content.
On June 20, 2023, the board unanimously restored the Bible to elementary, junior high and high school libraries. Both committees found no bright-line violation; they disagreed on age appropriateness.
Documented
Who and what is involved
- Institutions
- Davis district review committee; board appeal committee; full board
- People and recorded roles
- Unidentified challenger; Logan Toone; board members
- Organizations, bodies and vendors
- Davis School District
- Laws, rules and procedures
- Then-current district policy; bright-line §76-10-1227; subjective age/value review
- Products and information systems
- King James Bible review/exhibit
Sources (41)
- D101District appeal exhibit, page 1 (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D105Utah Legislature process summary, page 8 (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D102Davis policy, section 4.5.1: access during review (page 6) (opens in a new window)
- D103Davis presentation: May 22 decision and implementation (pages 3–4) (opens in a new window)
- D104Davis policy, section 4.7.7: access during an appeal (page 7) (opens in a new window)
- D118Watch on YouTube, starting near 19:44 (opens in a new window)
- D119Watch on YouTube, starting near 20:26 (opens in a new window)
- D120Watch on YouTube, starting near 40:24 (opens in a new window)
- D106June 20 board agenda (opens in a new window)
- D121Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:33:57 (opens in a new window)
- D122Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D123Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:22:42 (opens in a new window)
- D124Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D125Watch on YouTube, starting near 40:26 (opens in a new window)
- D126Watch on YouTube, starting near 28:27 (opens in a new window)
- D127Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D128Watch on YouTube, starting near 52:19 (opens in a new window)
- D129Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D130Watch on YouTube, starting near 57:05 (opens in a new window)
- D131Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D132Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:07:38 (opens in a new window)
- D133Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D134Read the meeting minutes (opens in a new window)
- D135Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:14:26 (opens in a new window)
- D136Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D137Watch on YouTube, starting near 2:20:04 (opens in a new window)
- D138Watch on YouTube, starting near 59:09 (opens in a new window)
- D139Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D140Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:28:57 (opens in a new window)
- D141Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D142Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:40:22 (opens in a new window)
- D143Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:41:41 (opens in a new window)
- D144Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:05:27 (opens in a new window)
- D145Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D146Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:48:53 (opens in a new window)
- D147Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D148Watch on YouTube, starting near 1:34:40 (opens in a new window)
- D149Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D150Watch on YouTube, starting near 36:38 (opens in a new window)
- D151Appeal recommendation exhibit (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D152Watch on YouTube, starting near 37:52 (opens in a new window)
Earlier research pages
Open question
What committee reasoning explains the changed age-appropriateness judgment?