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In 2022, Hoover City Schools scheduled award-winning author Derrick Barnes to visit three elementary schools.

But just before Barnes’ planned Black History Month appearances in February 2023, the invitation was abruptly canceled.

At first, the school district referenced a “recent change” and said Barnes had failed to provide information needed to offer a contract.

Later, Hoover Superintendent Dee Fowler acknowledged that Barnes had, in fact, offered some of the requested information, but not all. The cancellation came after a parent complained about Barnes’ visit and his “controversial ideas.”