Board members object to the use of the word “ban,” that is what they have done

The Mat-Su School Board banned 5 pieces of classic literature from being taught in whole-class settings. Although some Board members object to the use of the word “ban,” that is what they have done.

The New York Times Learning Network also got the ax in all but journalism classes.

They have not banned any of the texts completely from schools. They can still be found in libraries. Teachers are banned from using the books in their curriculum. The Board insists that students who are interested can read them on their own. This overlooks the robust discussions and critical thinking that occur when an entire class experiences literature together and is led in that study by a dedicated professional.

Although I fervently oppose their decision, I save my complete condemnation for the poor public process that was followed.

The public did not have the opportunity to speak to the ban. Yes, there was a previous public review period with scant response. Also, the Board did post on their agenda a week in advance the books that would be up for discussion. I, along with probably all of the community, assumed this was a procedural vote that would bless the selection which had historically been the case. There was no reason to believe the Board would disallow for classroom use books that had been studied for generations. But they did!

The flaw in the public process happened when those of us in virtual attendance realized they were about to remove these books from the curriculum, and we had no opportunity to voice our opinion! We had trusted the Board to act rationally and were duped.

During these COVID days, a person who wants to speak to the Board must get on the speaking order no less than 3 hours before the meeting begins. How could we know where this was headed? This is almost an all new Board, so our community did not know them well. We do now.

Member Larson suggested putting off the vote, but his comment was pushed aside; then in a 5-2 vote, five books and the New York Times were wiped out of curriculums.

These are books that a Curriculum Review Committee vetted and sent on to the Curriculum Council. They spent many hours in discussions and actually studied the material before recommending the texts to the Board. The Board took less than 30 minutes to dismiss all of their work.

This frightens me. This Board is tasked with selecting our new superintendent and with negotiating the certificated contract. Their lack of process and critical thinking does not instill confidence in their ability to do either well.

This is a clarion call to the entire community to carefully pay attention to what is on the Board’s agenda and insist on a voice in the decisions!

(By the way, there are another 5 or 6 more lists of texts that are being prepared for the Board!)

Dianne K. Shibe is the president of the Mat-Su Education Association