Educators are worried after Broward County banned a book that violated the Parents’ Rights to Education Act

Broward County, Florida. A book challenged by a group of conservative parents has been banned from Broward County school libraries.

Broward County schools have made the decision to ban “A Day with Marlon Bundo,” a story about a rabbit—the pet of former Vice President Mike Pence—who falls in love with another male rabbit.

Caroline Crone brought the book and went to the school to denounce how it was banned because it violated the Parents’ Rights to Education Act in what critics are calling “Don’t Say Like Me”.

“Currently, there is no policy for this process required by law,” she said.

The decision sparked a great deal of opposition from the public on the idea that book bans were under discussion.

“Please use your common sense and vote for a opt-out policy that allows freedom for all parents,” said Melissa Schiff, a former educator.

Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dismissed the notion that his administration was indiscriminately banning books from state school libraries.

Speaking at a press conference in Tampa, he denounced what he called the “book ban hoax”.

It’s a topic the governor has broached repeatedly in recent weeks, at one point calling the controversy “artificial.”

Concerned parents like Deidre Roth told Local 10 News that just because books are banned from schools, doesn’t mean they will stop people from buying them online.

“If the books are removed from the school,” she said, “there’s nothing stopping you from buying them on Amazon.”

On Tuesday, the Broward County School Board was briefed on a new process the district will design to allow parents and community members to veto certain books in the classroom.

Many concerns came from school board members about how to proceed.

“You know, if they don’t want their kids to have access to this book, that’s their right, but I don’t think they have the right to ban this book to all students,” said Sara Leonardi, a Broward County School Board member.

A number of school board members want to make sure parents have a way to opt out, the same way they can when it comes to sex education.

“We have to protect the innocence of our children and respect parents who don’t want their children to be exposed to certain things,” said Brenda Pham, a member of the Broward School Board.

The case will come before the council on April 18 and May 4.