Cypress-Fairbanks ISD board reverses controversial textbook policy that banned certain chapters of science textbooks

CYPRESS, Texas (KTRK) — The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District has officially rescinded a controversial policy the board adopted two years ago that banned certain chapters from science textbooks.

This change comes after an expensive, much-talked-about election in November, in which three political newcomers were elected. November’s election changed the board’s makeup, and this recent change is a result of that.

At Monday’s board meeting, the board voted 4-3 to restore textbook chapters that trustees removed in 2024.

Those chapters are from science textbooks, and at the time, board members said they didn’t want students to access them because they covered topics such as vaccines, climate change, and diversity.

In the November election, the school district’s board president and vice president lost their seats, as three political newcomers were elected.

All three new board members voted to restore the chapters, reversing the previous board’s decision.

School boards in Texas are technically non-partisan, but all three new trustees campaigned together to oppose current policies.

In the past two years, the CFISD board has approved book bans, Bible curriculum, and even a controversial gender identity policy that notifies families if students ask to use different names.

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