Press Release from District 196 (Bone Censorship Case)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press InquiriesTony Taschner, communications specialist
April 13, 2010
651-423-7775
tony.taschner@district196.org

Committee will hear request to remove book series from elementary libraries

ROSEMOUNT, Minn. – A District 196 Reconsideration Review Committee will meet April 27 to consider a request from a resident to remove a book series from the district’s elementary school libraries. The public is welcome to attend and observe the meeting, which will begin at 4:15 p.m. at the District Office in Rosemount.

An Apple Valley resident submitted a written request that the “Bone” series of books by Jeff Smith be removed from district elementary schools that currently have them as part of their library collections. The resident believes the books are not age appropriate due to references regarding drinking, smoking and sexual innuendo. Twelve of the district’s 18 elementary schools have at least one of the “Bone” books in their library. The books are available for students to check out but are not used for instructional purposes as part of classroom work.

District policy provides that a district resident, parent or guardian of a district student, adult student or district employee may request reconsideration of any instructional resource. If the person challenging the material requests that the resource be excluded, restricted or included for students other than his or her own children, it is reviewed by a Reconsideration Review Committee. The committee, which is assembled when needed, includes three teachers, five parents, an elementary principal, an elementary media specialist and a middle school media specialist. The committee will be facilitated by Steve Troen, director of Teaching and Learning, and Renee Ervasti, elementary curriculum coordinator.

Committee members will review the “Bone” books in advance and will discuss the series at the April 27 meeting, taking into consideration criteria used to select instructional resources for students and the quality of the material as a whole. At the meeting, the resident making the request and a district media specialist will each be given 15 minutes to present their positions on the reconsideration. After discussing alternatives, the committee will decide the acceptability of the book for elementary school students.

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District 196 serves approximately 27,500 students in early childhood, K-12 and special education programs combined, and offers community education programs for residents of all ages. District 196 includes all or part of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and Empire and Vermillion townships. For more information, visit www.district196.org.