HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Education issued a letter Friday to Hillsborough County School District Superintendent Van Ayres, demanding an explanation for the continued presence of what they deem “pornographic and inappropriate materials” in district school libraries.
The letter sent by Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr., expresses concern over the district’s handling of library media material selection and maintenance.
The state highlighted specific titles found in some Hillsborough County high school libraries, citing excerpts from “Call Me By Your Name” by André Aciman and “Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts)” by L.C. Rosen as evidence of the inappropriate content.
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The letter directly quotes sexually explicit passages from both books, emphasizing their availability to students according to the district’s public database.
“I saw one of them enter my room and reach for the fruit, and with the fruit in hand, come to my bed and bring it to my hard cock. I know you’re not sleeping, they’d say, and gently press the soft, overripe peach on my cock till I’d pierced thefruit along the crease that reminded me so much of Oliver’s ass. The idea seized me and would not let go.” – Call Me By Your Name, by André Aciman
“Unfortunately, your lack of leadership regarding the selection, approval, and maintenance of library media materials continues to put children at risk and undermines parental rights,” Diaz stated in the letter. He further contrasted Hillsborough’s approach with that of other Florida school districts that have “proactively ensured that pornographic and inappropriate materials are not in the hands of kids.”
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Diaz implored the superintendent and his staff to personally review the cited books and consider whether they would be “comfortable with the children entrusted to your care having access to these books.” Diaz also referenced the Department’s annual list of removed or discontinued materials as a resource for prioritizing reviewing questionable items.
“Let me remind you that you are responsible for every aspect of your school district. Consider this letter notice of your expected attendance at the upcoming State Board of Education meeting on June 4 at Miami Dade College to explain why you continue to allow pornographic materials in your school libraries,” Diaz wrote Friday.
The Tampa Free Press has contacted Hillsborough County Schools for comment and will update this story.
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