Texas School Supervisor Faces Backlash Over Book Selection

A Texas school district supervisor has gained attention on Facebook, with some social media users labeling him as a “devil” for assigning what they consider inappropriate reading material. Dr. John Coons, who oversees the Abilene Independent School District, has received significant engagement online, including thousands of reactions and numerous comments criticizing both him and the post itself.

In a recent post, Coons mentioned discovering a social media user who called themselves “Demons” after a certain book, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” was assigned to freshmen in a highly-regarded English class. The instructor was reportedly new to this particular assignment.

“It’s really a rough read for younger students,” Coons commented, highlighting a specific phrase in the book that he deemed inappropriate. His concerns raise questions about the reading material assigned to certain age groups.

While he acknowledged that the book might be better suited for older students—possibly those 17 and up—Coons expressed frustration that teachers often face backlash for challenging texts they choose, even when intended for advanced readers.

“I do think it’s important to restrict some material,” he noted, adding that other readings in the curriculum were only meant for honors students, which creates a disparity in educational expectations.

Kuhn also commented on the double standards regarding language in literature. He pointed out that while some words are deemed acceptable, others seem to evoke stronger reactions, presenting a selective anger from parents and the community.

In light of criticism regarding his book selection, Coons is also raising concerns about legislative actions like Senate Bill 2, which proposes an education savings account, and Senate Bill 13, which mandates teachers to catalog every book in their classrooms. He criticized these measures as undermining local educational authority.

“There seems to be a political agenda undermining local officials, pushing for national standards that don’t fit our community,” he said, reflecting on his frustrations with the recent education policies.

Coons noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic, various school boards have passed legislation like Parent Rights Bills that increase transparency while limiting classroom content. These actions have left many educators feeling the pressure of scrutiny from parents and policymakers alike.

Though the original social media post that sparked the controversy has been removed, Coons confirmed that “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” will be reviewed before any further assignments are made. “I believe it’s recommended for ages 14 and up,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to ensuring age-appropriate material for students.