Board inserts state-required antisemitism definition into discrimination policies and updates library‑materials language

Coffee County's Board of Education accepted revisions to several discrimination and library policies required or recommended by state guidance. The board adopted language that inserts a statutory definition of antisemitism into its discrimination policies and amended the district's library materials policy.

Discrimination policies: Staff informed the board that state law now requires school boards to include a definition of antisemitism within relevant anti-discrimination policies. Board members discussed that the general nondiscrimination clause remains — the district will continue to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability — and that the new requirement adds an explicit definition of antisemitism to the policy text. One board member cautioned about adding many group-specific definitions into policy lists (noting risks if a group is inadvertently omitted); staff said the state mandated this addition and recommended complying with the statute.

Library materials: The board also approved an amendment to policy 4.403 clarifying that materials may not be excluded from school libraries solely because they are religious in nature. The district's policy language was adjusted to match state changes and to reflect that the district employs school media specialists rather than a district-level media specialist.

Motion and outcome: The board adopted the antisemitism definition insertion and the library-materials amendments as provided.