Discussion on book restrictions continue at Brandywine

 

NILES, Mich. -- The controversial topic of book restriction at Brandywine continued Friday evening, with the very first meeting of the Explicit Book Review Committee.

“This group is here in order to make sure a political mission doesn’t take over our school district,” says Ambrosia Neldon, co-founder of Brandywine Alumni, Community Members, and Staff for Education Freedom group.

There’s a tricky balance to be found on the issue. As Brandywine Superintendent Travis Walker suggests, removing books from a library is a violation of student’s first amendment rights. Yet, school policy prohibits offensive material being available for students.

The proposed policy, discussed by the Explicit Book Review Committee, would ultimately make it a parent’s decision on what they can or cannot read.

“If a student is in grade 7-10, the parent would have the ability to opt students in grade 7-10 out of that restriction. Students in grades 11 and 12, parents would have the ability to opt their student into the restriction,” explains Superintendent Travis Walker.

Board members read aloud some of the excerpts from a few of the roughly thirty restricted books that were deemed ‘sexually explicit’, books like Milk and Honey and Push.

Others say the books may open necessary conversation for students.

“If one student is experiencing some of this type of trouble in their life and they know that others are going through the same thing, then they have a resource to turn to and they can maybe get guidance from and how to overcome this,” Walker explains.

“You have to be exposed to new ideas and new concepts and things that make us a little uncomfortable sometimes,” feels Neldon.

The question also arises if the restricted books have educational value, to which some say reading in general is educational.

However, it was clear Friday night, Brandywine hasn’t closed the book on this debate.

“No matter what tactics they take to keep us out of the conversation that we’re here and we want to be involved,” Neldon assures.

The Explicit Book Review Committee will provide a report of the discussion had here tonight to the school board on Monday evening, which will then call for further discussion with board members.