
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School District
What's at Stake
The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, joined by the National ACLU, filed a lawsuit challenging the Wentzville R-IV School District’s removal of eight critically-acclaimed library books that are by and about people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups, as well as its policy requiring automatic removal of every book that any student, parent, or guardian formally objects to, regardless of the basis for or merits of that objection.
Summary
The First Amendment protects the right to access information—including students’ right to access information through school library shelves. Indeed, as the Supreme Court held forty years ago, the school library is “the principal locus” of students’ freedom “to inquire, to study and to evaluate, to gain new maturity and understanding.” Bd. of Educ., Island Trees Union Free Sch. Dist. No. 26 v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853, 869 (1982) (plurality). Nevertheless, school-board officials, lawmakers, and others across the country have recently accelerated efforts to ban books—especially those that engage with themes at the intersection of gender, sexuality, and race—from circulation in school and public libraries.
The plaintiffs in this case are two students in Wentzville schools, as well as the state and local subdivisions of the NAACP. The lawsuit alleges that the Wentzville district has violated students’ First Amendment right to access information by engaging in viewpoint-based removal of books. In addition, the lawsuit challenges the district’s policies, including those that require the automatic removal of any book once it is challenged by a parent, student, or guardian. This policy enables individuals who simply disagree with or disapprove of the contents of a book to restrict all students’ ability to access that material, at least while a formal review process proceeds. As a result, community groups that object to the availability of materials by and about racial and sexual minorities have successfully targeted texts that center the experiences of Black, queer, and Latinx people.
The books that the Wentzville R-IV School District has so far banned pursuant to its policies include The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison; Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic Paperback, by Alison Bechdel; Heavy: An American Memoir, by Kiese Laymon; Lawn Boy, by Jonathan Evison; All Boys Aren’t Blue, by George M. Johnson; Gabi, a Girl in Pieces, by Isabel Quintero; Modern Romance, by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg; and Invisible Girl, by Lisa Jewell. All these books, which have received critical acclaim, engage with themes at the intersection of gender, sexuality, and race. While several of the books have been returned to school library shelves in response to this lawsuit, at least one remais banned—and the policies that require automatic removal of a book upon any challenge to it remain in place.
The case was filed in the Eastern District of Missouri in February 2022. In March 2022, the Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction requiring the reinstatement of the banned books, and prohibiting the Wentzville R-IV School District from entertaining additional temporary or permanent bans pursuant to its current policies.
Legal Documents
-
02/25/2022
Plaintiffs' Amended Class Action Complaint for Prospective Relief -
-
02/25/2022
Exhibit 1: 6310 Policy -
02/25/2022
Exhibit 2: 6310 Regulation -
02/25/2022
Exhibit 3: 6241 Policy -
02/25/2022
Exhibit 4: 6241 Regulation -
02/25/2022
Exhibit 5: Committee Decision on The Bluest Eye
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 1: 6310 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/25/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 2: 6310 RegulationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/25/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 3: 6241 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/25/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 4: 6241 RegulationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/25/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 5: Committee Decision on The Bluest EyeDownload DocumentDate Filed: 02/25/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
-
02/25/2022
-
03/14/2022
Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction -
03/15/2022
Plaintiffs' Memorandum in Support of Motion for a Preliminary Injunction -
-
03/14/2022
Exhibit 13: Review Form for "Gabi, A Girl in Pieces" -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 14: Email re Book Removal Status -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 15: Memorandum to Board re "Gabi" Review Committee Report -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 16: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "Lawn Boy" -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 17: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "All Boys Aren't Blue" -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 18: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "Heavy" -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 19: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "Fun Home" -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 20: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "The Bluest Eye" -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 21: Memorandum to Board re "The Bluest Eye" Committee Report -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 22: Email re Review Committee Guidelines -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 23: Transcript of Nixa Parents Meeting with Andy Wells -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 24: Transcript of January 20, 2022 Board Meeting -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 25: Email re Parent Choice -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 26: Email from Board Member re Board Disregard of Recommendation -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 27: Email from Committee Member re Board Disregard of Recommendation -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 28: Email from Librarian re Review Process -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 29: Transcript of February 25, 2022 Board Meeting -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 30: Email re Book Removal Status -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 31: Letter from District Counsel re Status -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 32: Email re Weeding Request -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 34: No Left Turn Book Challenge List -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 35: Sandy Garber Board Candidate Statement -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 36: Declaration of Plaintiff D.L. -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 37: Declaration of Z.L., parent of Plaintiff D.L. -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 38: Declaration of T.K., parent of Plaintiff C.K.-W. -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 39: Declaration of Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel, Jr. -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 40: Declaration of "Fun Home" author Alison Bechdel -
05/04/2022
Exhibit 41: Declaration of "Gabi" author Isabel Quintero -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 42: Declaration and CV of Harvey J. Graff -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 43: Andy Wells Facebook Post re Challenge Guidance -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 44: Andy Wells Facebook Post re Book Challenge List -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 45: Andy Wells Facebook Post re Values -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 46: Sandy Garber Facebook Post re Race -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 47: Sandy Garber Facebook Post re English -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 48: Sandy Garber Facebook Post re Religion -
05/04/2022
Exhibit 49: Amber Crawford Facebook Post re CRT -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 50: Amber Crawford Facebook Post re Race -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 51: National Coalition Against Censorship Letter to Board -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 52: Missouri Library Association Letter to Board -
03/14/2022
Exhibit 53: Email from Community Member re Removal Concerns
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 13: Review Form for "Gabi, A Girl in Pieces"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 14: Email re Book Removal StatusDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 15: Memorandum to Board re "Gabi" Review Committee ReportDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 16: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "Lawn Boy"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 17: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "All Boys Aren't Blue"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 18: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "Heavy"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 19: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "Fun Home"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 20: Review of Instructional Materials Form for "The Bluest Eye"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 21: Memorandum to Board re "The Bluest Eye" Committee ReportDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 22: Email re Review Committee GuidelinesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 23: Transcript of Nixa Parents Meeting with Andy WellsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 24: Transcript of January 20, 2022 Board MeetingDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 25: Email re Parent ChoiceDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 26: Email from Board Member re Board Disregard of RecommendationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 27: Email from Committee Member re Board Disregard of RecommendationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 28: Email from Librarian re Review ProcessDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 29: Transcript of February 25, 2022 Board MeetingDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 30: Email re Book Removal StatusDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 31: Letter from District Counsel re StatusDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 32: Email re Weeding RequestDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 34: No Left Turn Book Challenge ListDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 35: Sandy Garber Board Candidate StatementDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 36: Declaration of Plaintiff D.L.Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 37: Declaration of Z.L., parent of Plaintiff D.L.Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 38: Declaration of T.K., parent of Plaintiff C.K.-W.Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 39: Declaration of Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel, Jr.Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 40: Declaration of "Fun Home" author Alison BechdelDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 41: Declaration of "Gabi" author Isabel QuinteroDownload DocumentDate Filed: 05/04/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 42: Declaration and CV of Harvey J. GraffDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 43: Andy Wells Facebook Post re Challenge GuidanceDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 44: Andy Wells Facebook Post re Book Challenge ListDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 45: Andy Wells Facebook Post re ValuesDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 46: Sandy Garber Facebook Post re RaceDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 47: Sandy Garber Facebook Post re EnglishDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 48: Sandy Garber Facebook Post re ReligionDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 49: Amber Crawford Facebook Post re CRTDownload DocumentDate Filed: 05/04/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 50: Amber Crawford Facebook Post re RaceDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 51: National Coalition Against Censorship Letter to BoardDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 52: Missouri Library Association Letter to BoardDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 53: Email from Community Member re Removal ConcernsDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
-
03/14/2022
-
03/15/2022
Defendants' Answer to Amended Complaint -
03/24/2022
Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification -
03/28/2022
Defendants' Memorandum in Opposition to Preliminary Injunction -
-
03/28/2022
Exhibit 1: 0120 Policy -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 2: 0310 Policy -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 3: 1480 Policy -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 4: 6240 Policy -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 5: Policy 6421 -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 6: 6241 Regulation -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 7: 6310 Policy -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 8: 6310 Regulation -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 9: 0340 Policy -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 10: Review of Instructional Materials Form re "Invisible Girl" -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 11: Review of Instructional Materials Form re "Modern Love" -
03/28/2022
Exhibit 12: Declaration of Keri Skeeters
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 1: 0120 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 2: 0310 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 3: 1480 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 4: 6240 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 5: Policy 6421Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 6: 6241 RegulationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 7: 6310 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 8: 6310 RegulationDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 9: 0340 PolicyDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 10: Review of Instructional Materials Form re "Invisible Girl"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 11: Review of Instructional Materials Form re "Modern Love"Download DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 12: Declaration of Keri SkeetersDownload DocumentDate Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
-
03/28/2022
-
03/24/2022
Plaintiffs' Memorandum in Support of Class Certification -
04/07/2022
Defendants' Memorandum in Opposition to Class Certification -
04/07/2022
Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of a Preliminary Injunction -
-
04/07/2022
Exhibit 54: Declaration of Anthony E. Rothert -
04/07/2022
Exhibit 55: Dr. Skeeters Email re Weeded Books -
04/07/2022
Exhibit 56: Garber Email to Bates re NCAC Letter -
04/07/2022
Exhibit 57: Garber Email to Board re NCAC Letter
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 54: Declaration of Anthony E. RothertDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/07/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 55: Dr. Skeeters Email re Weeded BooksDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/07/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 56: Garber Email to Bates re NCAC LetterDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/07/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
C.K.–W. v. Wentzville R-IV School DistrictLegal DocumentsExhibit 57: Garber Email to Board re NCAC LetterDownload DocumentDate Filed: 04/07/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
-
04/07/2022
-
04/11/2022
Bookseller Amici's Memorandum in Support of a Preliminary Injunction -
04/15/2022
Defendants' Motion to Stay Proceedings -
04/18/2022
Defendants' Memorandum Supporting a Stay -
04/18/2022
Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Class Certification -
04/29/2022
Plaintiffs' Memorandum Opposing a Stay -
05/09/2022
Defendants' Reply Memorandum in Support of a Stay -
05/11/2022
Order Denying Defendants' Stay Motion -
08/05/2022
Memorandum & Order Denying Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction
Date Filed: 02/25/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 03/14/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 03/15/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 03/15/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 03/24/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 03/28/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 03/24/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 04/07/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 04/07/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 04/11/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 04/15/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 04/18/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 04/18/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 04/29/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 05/09/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 05/11/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)
Date Filed: 08/05/2022
Court: District Court (E.D. Mo.)