Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek's statement on the court ruling granting preliminary injunction of parts of SF 496
"This is a big win for education professionals, students, and parents. We are pleased that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa blocked critical portions of SF 496 from going into effect on January 1, 2024.
"When education professionals return to work next week, they can do what they do best: take great care of all their students without fear of reprisal.
"Judge Locher hit the nail on the head when he stated in his decision that the new law 'is incredibly broad and has resulted in the removal of hundreds of books from school libraries….the sweeping restrictions are unlikely to satisfy the First Amendment under any standard of scrutiny and thus may not be enforced while the case is pending.'
"We are incredibly proud of the thousands of education professionals and employees in Iowa’s public schools. This ruling means they can continue successfully guiding all students without fear of punishment or losing their jobs.
"The First Amendment is alive and well in Iowa and our public schools."
Read the court's decision here
