School board discusses: controversial novel, recommendations for auditorium, changes to Coaching Handbook . . . and extends thanks to retiring personnel

June 18, 2015

High School English teacher Theresa Nix may proceed in her literature class with her proposed use of a novel that has been considered controversial in some quarters. However, the board is requiring that information about that novel and all other books to be studied in the course be made publicly available to parents and on the District web site before the class begins. This, along with other important issues, was discussed at the meeting of the Board of Boundary County School District 101 this past Monday, June 15. Controversy about use of the novel At last month's School Board meeting, discussion arose regarding the novel The Handmaid's Tale, written by Margaret Atwood and originally published in 1985. The novel, which has at times appeared on lists of "Most Frequently Challenged" books from the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association, is a dystopian novel whose story unfolds in a land ruled by a totalitarian Christian theocracy. The book has been challenged in some areas, reportedly due to it being inappropriate for the proposed age group, sexual content, language, and other concerns. After a brief discussion of the book and its use during last month's month's meeting, the School Board tabled the issue until this month's meeting, to give the Board and the public an opportunity to review the book directly. At this School Board meeting this month, the issue again came up for discussion. Ms. Nix discussed why she selected this book for her class, a new course on Dystopic Literature, which will be taught in the coming school year. "This book is excellent for the concept of discussing the role of women in society, not just western society, but society in general. Margaret Atwood wrote this book by piecing together clippings from the news over about a decade, and everything in this book is tied to an actual event that happened in the 1970s or the early 1980s. "Every one of those events is still on our political radar today, still in our world, we're still addressing the consequences. The fact that everything in it is based on something real means something to me, and I think it would mean more to the kids than something we would make up." She also felt the book was written at a level that would be easily followed and understood by students. "The language is so easy that it showcases the issues that are so hard," she said. Board members state parents should be made aware District Trustee Beverly Krichbaum, who pointed out that she has yet to read the book but plans to do so, said that in her research on the book she has found, "There are issues in that book that are very deep, very concerning, very controversial within families of what should be allowed for discussion in the public school setting. That's where my concern is. And realistically how many parents and community members [will] read the book [or] read a very good excerpt or review about this book—and not just this book but all of these books take us to places that aren't discussed a lot." "Don't get me wrong," she said, "I'm not a closed-minded person, but some of these issues are very touching on matters of social or religious points of view. That's where my concern is regarding this class, and I wish there was a way where we could get more involvement or input from not only the parents, but the community as a whole, so that they know what's going on." "In matters like this," Ms. Krichbaum continued, "I've seen before where nobody knows [ahead of time], and then these books come home and the kids are talking about them, and then we have the parents [screaming] in the principal's office." Ms. Nix indicated she understood those concerns. "Two things that kind of ameliorate that for you for this particular purpose," she said. "It's an upper level selective, so it's only going to be juniors and seniors. Nothing else below that. And, secondly, it's a selective. Kids can opt out of it, parents can opt their kids out of it. Parents have to approve their schedules, so if they have a problem with the class, they do not have to take it, it's not a requirement, it's a choice. "I think you're still going to run into parents, who didn't see this process happen, see their kid bring a book home," Ms. Nix said, "Generally when these things happen, parents have, even if they call me upset at first, they think about it, they come back with 'I got to have a really nice conversation with my child about this.' These issues, whether we like it or not, are around our students, and they're around our kids, and they see them and they hear them, and so giving them a forum in a guided way to talk about them I think is important and valuable." Trustee Melanie Staples thought it important that some sort of notification be given to parents advising them about the book before the class started. Trustee Ron MacDonald, who said he had read the book, pointed out that the movie Schindler's List is shown in class at the high school, with prior notes about the showing of the movie being sent home to parents. He felt that movie was more graphic "by far" then the book in question. "For me," Mr. MacDonald said, "I think it's a great book, and it makes you think, and it's a great conversation starter, and what better place than a room with your peers with an instructor who is going over the pros and cons of it? "There's nothing wrong with discussion," he continued.  "You don't have to agree with it, you don't have to disagree with it, just honest discussion." Trustee Krichbaum pointed out that parents generally know what is in Schindler's List and its content, but don't generally know about this book or what is in it. "We're saying, let the parents decide. We should let them know. We sent the permission slip home with Schindler's List; why not let the parents know about these books, and of course let them decide. Let's give them a fair chance so they know what's going on." BFHS English teacher Paul Bonnell spoke in favor of allowing use of the book. "Historically, Boundary County School District, Bonners Ferry High School, and our English Department, have maintained a culture that does not restrict reading material. Thus, students and teachers have had access to a range of literary works, many of which are prohibited across the country," he said. "We have been grateful for this culture which promotes freedom, rigor, relationships, and academic discovery, values which we deem necessary for our students." He later added, "Honestly, The Handmaid's Tale is disturbing.  It's a disturbing read, and it kind of should be because it's meant to provide some disquietude." Curriculum coordinator Robin Merrifield indicated that the reading list for the course and the course syllabus could be posted on the District website, and Ms. Staples agreed that would be the best thing to do, saying that then those who want that sort of a course could take it, and those that did not want that sort of course content would know in advance and elect not to take the course. "That's all we're asking," she said. Ms. Krichbaum added, "I would appreciate a nice synopsis of each one of the books, please, not just a one or two sentence. This is a whole new course. How many of us knew what kind of a literature course this was? I would really appreciate that so that everyone truly gets a sense of what this class is about and what each novel is about." The Board then approved a motion to proceed with the course and the book, with information made available as described. Issues with the high school auditorium In other business at the meeting, David Carpenter, Performing Arts teacher at the high school, asked the board to consider three issues regarding the current auditorium facility at the school. First, he asked that the board consider purchasing a projector for use in the auditorium. He described the need for a projector, and indicated he had identified one that would be suitable for use. Second, he asked the board to consider building or otherwise making available additional space, ideally next to or added on to the auditorium, that would be used for storage of scenery, sets, artwork, and costumes from previous productions and programs at the school. He stated that over the past eight years, approximately 25 productions have led to the creation of much material, that could very likely be used again in the future. Currently, he has this material stored in scattered fashion in four private barns around the county, in an area at the Middle School, and at the High School. He also recommended that this additional space have the capacity to provide appropriate and more private areas for students to change costumes during productions, stating that this has been a problem in the past, and that students often feel uncomfortable in not having more secure areas to change. His third issue was to ask the Board to consider hiring a temporary assistant supervisor to be on hand during practice and performances of productions. He stated that many times his responsibilities in the production might require that he be up in the sound booth, or at other areas of the auditorium, sometimes leaving students unsupervised as he worked in other areas. He felt that having an assistant who could be present to help with supervision and other duties would be important. The Board will take Mr. Carpenter's concerns under further consideration. Recommended changes for the District Coaching Handbook In other discussion before the School Board, Trustee Ron MacDonald asked that additions be made in the District's Coaching Handbook to specify that vandalism would be an infraction that would result in discipline for student athletes, and also that the Handbook recommend that District coaches document any disciplinary discussion or action taken with student athletes. In making those recommendations, he pointed out an example where an athletic team in the recent past "trashed" an athletic facility at St. Maries, resulting in damage there and also bringing embarrassment to the school, the team, the District, and to our community. The District had to pay for those damages, and essentially the students involved had no subsequent consequences. Regarding documentation of disciplinary interactions or infractions by students, he felt that if parents later had concerns about disciplinary issues or decisions made regarding their children who participated in athletics, there would exist a written record of the background history and information that led to the actions the coach or the district had taken. The Board agreed to make the changes to the Coaching Handbook as recommended by Mr. MacDonald. Thanks to retiring District personnel Also at the School Board Meeting, School Board Chairman David Brinkman announced that this would be the last Board meeting for long-time trustee Melanie Staples. "You're going to be missed," he announced in the meeting. He further stated that Mt. Hall teacher George Hays will be retiring after 32 years of service in the District, and expressed the Board's appreciation for his work.