Florida Department of Education claims ‘pornographic' books remain in Hillsborough County high school libraries
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Department of Education sent a letter to Hillsborough County Schools' Superintendent Van Ayres Friday, claiming the district has not removed 'pornographic and inappropriate books' from some high school libraries.
In the letter signed by Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Díaz Jr., Díaz wrote that 'Call Me by Your Name' and 'Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts)' had been found in the district's public database.
Díaz said 'Call Me by Your Name' was found in three high school libraries. 'Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts)' was available in two high schools, the commissioner said.
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'Thanks to the leadership of other Florida school district superintendents and school board members, several districts have done the right thing and proactively ensured that pornographic and inappropriate materials are not in the hands of kids. Unfortunately, Hillsborough has failed to do this and continues to have pornographic and inappropriate books available to students,' Díaz wrote.
He also told Ayers that he is expected to attend the upcoming State Board of Education meeting on June 4 at Miami Dade College 'to explain why you continue to allow pornographic materials in your school libraries.'
You can read the full letter below:
Letter-to-Supt-Van-AyresDownload
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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