Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for USD 232 Board of Education to address leading up to the Nov. 7 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to USD 232 district patrons.
Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
School boards, both locally and nationally, have in recent years been faced with requests from some parents to remove books and other materials from school libraries or classrooms, often because of the books’ sexual content. The American Library Association says many of the books most frequently targeted for challenges last year were those with LGTBQ themes or authors. As a board member, what principles and standards will you use to determine whether a book or other material should be removed from a school library or classroom?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Member Area 1
Chad Philhour
I do not agree with banning books. I am for categorizing reading materials much like we do with movies. I do believe there is age-appropriate material for each level. I recently met with one of the current board members and discussed book banning. She informed me that our middle schools do currently have a rating system in place — red, yellow, green — and that “red” books require parental consent. This is the level of monitoring I believe parents are looking for. Parents want to understand the type of reading materials available for their students. Systems like this should be shared with parents and the community.
Here is a good example for reference. My twin’s 3rd grade teacher sent the parents an email stating they were going to read a book with homework. The teacher then followed up with an email explaining they were going to watch the movie (with an opt out clause) and compare the book to the movie. This is a perfect example of open communication so as a parent I can be informed and be a resource to the teacher to aid in my child’s learning.
Bill Fletcher (incumbent)
I think our staff, teachers and librarians have really done an excellent job setting appropriate standards. We have had little reports of any problems in our district.
As a school board member, I do not think that we should set standards for library media or curricular materials. Our process should be to focus and listen to patrons’ suggestions for changes but allow our curriculum director and staff members who specialize in this area to determine what is an appropriate resource for that given content/age level.
I do think that it is important that our choice of curricular materials reflects the diversity of our students. If the board promotes a climate of patriarchy over our staff by setting standards, I think that it will undermine the professional decisions made by the educators and disrupt parent or guardian/teacher relationships. In general, the staff are knowledgeable about matters of public education and what educational resources will best support and advance our students’ learning.
Member Area 2
Greg Withrow
Just so it’s clear. I am not anti-book or in any way, “a book burner.” I am simply anti-pornography.
Our district does a great job at this. Books are reviewed and added by our librarians and staff. We have a “green, yellow and red” system that indicates the level of maturity. Once “red” is reached, the parent of the student must approve this signing out of the book.
In no way shape or form does pornographic material belong in our schools. I think most parents would agree with that. Some say it helps a child understand their sexual identity. Well, that’s well and good, but that decision belongs in the home, where that student and their family need to discuss and make the best decisions for their family. I do not believe that should be the business of our district staff and teachers.
I think that at the beginning of every year we assess and evaluate. And this would include the teachers’ personal libraries in the classroom because those libraries area still a reflection of the district and its current policies.
Ashley Spaulding (incumbent)
I appreciate parents/guardians wanting to understand what their students are reading and learning. When it comes to our district libraries, I also trust our librarians as educated, trained experts to select materials that are age-appropriate and offer diverse topics and opinions reflective of our diverse USD 232 population.
When the Board of Education adopted a new social studies curriculum in recent years, our district administration provided an opportunity for patrons to preview and ask questions about the options under consideration. While the event had low attendance, I appreciate our district offering an opportunity for parents to be involved in this capacity.
I support our school libraries being inclusive and having diverse reading materials available to our students. And I also support our board policy allowing parents to request that a particular library book be reconsidered. Thankfully, those two ideas don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I do not support one parent or group of parents being able to decide that a particular book should not be available to any student. Just because a parent doesn’t want his/her student reading something doesn’t mean no student should be able to read it.
Parents always have the option to ask for alternative reading materials for their student at his/her building. And our school libraries have certain materials that students cannot access without parental consent. I appreciate that our district has measures like these in place to meet the needs of all 7,400-plus students in USD 232.
Member Area 3
Stephanie Makalous (incumbent)
I believe that we should continue to use a combination of philosophies on which books students can read from the school library. First, I believe we should continue to use the American Library Association’s guide on books for our libraries. This guide tells librarians which books are appropriate for which age and guides librarians on which books are appropriate for school libraries.
I also believe that parents have the right to restrict which books their individual student reads. Just because one parent does not want their student reading a certain book does not mean the book should be restricted from all students at that school. Books are a great place to allow students to explore topics and experiences that they may not be exposed to in their every day lives. Combinations of these two philosophies are used in our school district.
I believe that the ALA guides the librarians on age-appropriate books allowing students to be able to learn and explore topics and places that the students may not experience or that they can relate to. Books help students learn to think critically and encourage students to develop into productive citizens.
Henry Sandate
Did not provide the Post with a response.
At-Large Area
Anh-Nguyet Nguyen
The district has a policy in place where books are coded, and those coded red are out of students’ reach and view. Furthermore, students may only access these books with their parents’ consent.
As a school board, it is imperative that we trust our experts whom we have hired to determine which books are appropriate for each grade/age level — the librarians. It is important that the board does not overstep and micromanage the duties ascribed to the experts in their respective fields.
Andy Jacober
I believe the overwhelming response is that we have a policy in place. The one change I would like to see is education: educating parents that we have a policy and what that policy is.
I would like to see our parents involved with that screening process. I believe the policy does involve parents, and that is good. I’m proud that our district does a good job in this area. Let’s continue making sure the books are age appropriate.
Tomorrow, we will publish candidates’ responses to the next question:
Teacher and staff retention has been a concern for years in local schools, a problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Districts continue to enter each new year with dozens of vacancies, most notably among special education teachers. Schools are also having trouble filling classified, non-teacher staff roles, like paras and custodians. What, if anything, can the school board do to help schools recruit and retain qualified staff?
