Appalled by the school board’s decision

To the editor:

As an educator for 4 decades, I am appalled that the School Board of my school district voted to ban books that had been recommended by professionals. Some, indeed, are English language classics that have been read by students for decades (e.g. The Great Gatsby).

I ask the five who voted to remove these books to point out specific passages/excerpts to which they object and outline those objections. Did these objections come from citizens in the District? If not, from where did they emerge?

One of the purposes in teaching books that have controversial content is so that teachers can guide students through the book to get to the underlying ideas. From their reading of these books, what are the underlying ideas to which these Board members object?

I am sure they carefully considered these questions in their vote, as being on the School Board carries the responsibility of objectivity. I ask Mr. Bergey, Mr. Hart, Mr. Larson, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Ponder to send these answers to me, or better yet, publish them in the Frontiersman, so we can understand why we would ban these books.

MSBSD used to have a very good questioned materials process that I cannot find in district policies now. As English department chair and principal at Palmer High School, I worked with teachers and parents in a process that examined objections to certain books. It was a good process that demanded that those who objected actually read the texts and come with specific objections rather than overly general points like, “anti white messaging” or it Language”. Indeed, then, as now, some of the objections were around classics (e.g. The Canterbury Tales). And some of those who objected had not read the literature before complaining. The process started with the teacher and principal, went to a community panel, and could ultimately end up at the school board level (e.g. The Color Purple) where both sides of the argument were presented. It was a good and fair process and everyone came away feeling heard. School is about learning to think. Teachers are the guides who help students grapple with the difficult situations and ideas that surround their daily lives. Banning books because they address these issues handicaps our young people.

Thank you, Mr. Trimmer and Dr. Welton, for standing up for our students and the professionals who guide them.

— Patricia Chesbro served as an English teacher and principal at Palmer High School for 25 years, two years as Mat-Su Borough School District Superintendent and an Assistant Professor of Leadership at UAA for 10 years.