Six controversial books will remain on the shelves in libraries in the Rockwood School District.
The books “Where I End and You Begin” by Preston Norton, “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews, “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins and “Looking for Alaska” by John Green were reviewed by a committee and deemed appropriate to be in some school libraries.
The books were reviewed by a group of two teachers, two librarians, a curriculum coordinator, a school board member, four parents, the person who challenged the book and up to two high school students, if the work was requested to be removed from their school.
Rockwood officials have seen a slew of requests to remove books from school libraries after parents claimed they contained inappropriate material at Board of Education meetings in October and November.
Concerned parents addressed the board about the books and handed out flyers, highlighting specific passages in books they contended were too explicit for students.
“I’m very concerned with the availability of pornography and embedded political agenda in your curriculum,” said Jessica Zurmuehlen at a Nov. 18 board meeting, with about 100 people in attendance.
Zurmuehlen was one of 12 people who challenged the board to remove the books at that meeting.
The district has received requests to remove 13 books this year; it has yet to remove any of the titles.
Board members voted unanimously Oct. 21 to keep “The Hate You Give” by Angie Thomas in libraries.
The district has not announced decisions whether to keep or remove “This One Summer” by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, “Heroine” by Mindy McGinnis, “The Breakaways” by Cathy G. Johnson, “It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity” by Theresa Thorn, “Living Dead Girl” by Elizabeth Scott and “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison.
The district also is dealing with two lessons that have been challenged as inappropriate.
Rockwood officials are reviewing whether changes need to be made to its “Eighth Grade Critical Literacy Lessons from Spring 2021” and “Teacher Materials or Any Lessons Devised from Teachers’ College Reading and Writing Projects,” according to the district’s website.
While the board voted to keep one of the books, it voted Oct. 21 to end its involvement in decisions to approve or disapprove of a committee’s recommendation on what material is appropriate.
The board is scheduled to receive an update about books and lessons that have been requested to be removed at a meeting to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at Rockwood Summit High School, 1780 Hawkins Road, in Fenton.
Shelley Willott, assistant superintendent for learning and support services, said the list of what books or lessons that will be discussed at that time had not been finalized as of Dec. 20.
Material requested to be removed and committee reports may be viewed on the curriculum page of the district’s website, rsdmo.org.