Merrill School Board Votes to Keep "Montana 1948"

Normally I would write or rant or lecture a little bit in this blog, but today I'll keep it simple.  The article from WAOW.com is self-explanatory, short, and covers pretty much every issue I would like.  What I'm not including here is the video on the website that is worth taking a look at for more details. 

In short, the article addresses the need for parents to understand that they have every right to read, critique, and limit what their own children read or are exposed to, but they do not have the right to take away the rights of other children to read.  But on that note, I will let you read the article for yourself, the majority of which is copied below.

MERRILL (WAOW) -- Members of the Merrill School Board decide not to ban a book some parents say is questionable reading material for their 10th grade students because of language, and sexual and racists themes.

The book, Montana 1948, was written by retired UW Stevens Point professor, Larry Watson. School leaders added it to the curriculum 12 years ago, saying it was a less controversial substitute for Catcher in the Rye. Members of the school board read the book over the weekend to prepare themselves for the discussion at Monday's special meeting. 

"Having your child not read a certain book is parenting and you have that right as a parent," said Merrill Superintendent Dr. Lisa Snyder. "But taking away a book from another child, that's censorship." 

Merrill High School's principal and the district's curriculum director addressed the board, but no public comment was accepted. School leaders said students have the option of reading a different book if they don't feel comfortable with the one they're assigned.

It is at times like this that I am grateful for open-minded individuals like Lisa Snyder who help keep books available to all students and who understand, also, that parents are incredibly valuable in the education process.  Thoughts?

Thanks for listening!