Cadott School Board; Status of six elementary library books decided in appeal

By Julia Wolf

Some library books are moving to another location or set to be removed, while others are remaining in the Cadott Elementary School library. The decision came during a special school board meeting March 28, where board members made a decision on six library books, after a Reconsideration Committee decision to keep the books challenged by a citizen in the school library, was appealed.

“We will go through each book individually,” said Al Sonnentag, board president. “We’ve all read the books.”

Each book was voted on individually, following discussion. Board member Cory LaNou began by stating he wished the library policy was updated last fall, when he first brought up the issue, on behalf of concerned parents in the district.

“Much of the discussion in regards to our library policy, has been around age-appropriate content,” said LaNou. “This is a very difficult discussion, because every student matures physically at a different age, as well as mentally matures at a different age.”

He says those discussions of potential policy changes won’t happen until after the appeal votes.

“As such, I have to make decisions and cast my votes with a library policy that I don’t agree with,” said LaNou.

The first book up for discussion was Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, by Rob Sanders.

A. Sonnentag says he did not have an issue with the story, but thought it would be appropriate for fourth grade and up, instead of the recommended grade levels one to three.

“Do we currently make sure every kid is not checking out anything above their grade level?” asked LaNou.

Superintendent Jenny Starck says parents can specify they only want their child to check out books within their grade level. Otherwise, the grade levels are a recommendation and students are not stopped from checking out a book outside their grade level.

Becca Blanchette, board member, agreed there is work to do on the library policy, to make everything clearer, especially around parent choice.

LaNou also asked if the board is even allowed to change the grade recommendation or move the books, or if they are strictly able to vote “keep” or “remove” on the books? Starck says the policy is silent on the process of the board appeal, so her opinion is, there is a third option to change the recommended grade level.

Donna Albarado, board member, says she did not have an issue with Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, and thought it showed people can accomplish their dreams in a kid-friendly and factual matter, which Blanchette and Christine Rowe, board member, agreed with.

A motion to keep the book in the library, but change the recommended grade level to fourth grade and above, passed, with four in favor (Brad Sonnentag, Cedric Boettcher, LaNou, A. Sonnentag) and three opposed (Blanchette, Rowe, Albarado).

For Melissa’s Story (aka George) by Alex Gino, A. Sonnentag said he felt like an important part of the story was missing. Albarado said the book made her uncomfortable, at first, but turned out to be a fun book.

“There’s a lot going on in this story,” said Albarado, including a single parent, limited dad involvement, bullying and no strong male character.

B. Sonnentag says he struggles with the ageappropriateness and says, as adults, they understand the book differently than an elementary student.

Rowe says she also thinks the book teaches empathy and worries if they move it up to the high school library for junior high students, they might miss the age that could benefit the most.

Blanchette says, from her own kids experiences, she knows topics in the book are part of children’s discussion at that age and thinks it is relatable for some students. She says the book is not for every fourth through sixth grader, but thinks it could be a good book for some.

For Melissa’s Story, a motion to keep the book, but move it to seventh grade or above, failed, with two in favor (B. Sonnentag, LaNou) and five opposed (Blanchette, Boettcher, Rowe, Albarado, A. Sonnentag).

A motion to uphold the Reconsideration’s Motion to keep the book in the library as is, was approved with four in favor (Blanchette, Boettcher, Rowe, Albarado) and three opposed (B. Sonnentag, LaNou, A. Sonnentag).

Board members voted to remove Protest Movements: Then and Now by Eric Braun in a split vote.

Prior to the vote, Rowe said she thinks the book is properly placed at fifth through eighth grade, with facts reported on a pretty level playing field.

“I thought 98 percent of this book was really good and spot on, and there were a couple spots in there that weren’t factual,” said B. Sonnentag.

B. Sonnentag says he would like to see the book removed and replaced with a different book on protests for that age level. Boettcher agreed there should be a better book on the topic.

A motion to remove the book from the library carried with four in favor (B. Sonnentag, Boettcher, LaNou, A. Sonnentag) and three opposed (Blanchette, Rowe, Albarado).

For The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall, B. Sonnentag said he thought the book was fantastic for grades kindergarten through three, except for the last page.

“I think it’s a book where it would be great for a parent to for sure read with their child,” said B. Sonnentag.

B. Sonnentag suggested The Baby Tree be moved to the guidance counselor’s office to share with parents, as a resource. LaNou agreed the book seemed geared toward children reading it with their parents.

“It’s a great tool for parents, when they have to have an uncomfortable conversation,” said Albarado.

After further discussion, board members unanimously voted to remove the book from the library and place it in the guidance counselor’s office as a resource for parents.

The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehen was next up for discussion. B. Sonnentag said the book is an instance where a separate junior high library would be nice, because he thought it would be best for grades six through eight.

“I thought it was a good book,” said B. Sonnentag. “I don’t know if fourth and fifth graders are ready for it.”

Blanchette said she thinks the book is extremely relatable, on lots of levels, for fourth through sixth graders. She says the anxiety element of the character showed a lot, something Blanchette says is unfortunately relevant.

The board voted to keep the book in the library unanimously.

Finally, a decision was made for The Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender.

Blanchette said the portion of the book initially flagged by a parent, which contained racial stereotypes at the beginning of the book, did make her feel uncomfortable.

“What I loved, is the main character kind of came around, actually became friends with the girl she had stereotypes against,” said Blanchette.

Blanchette says the character’s realization that those judgements are wrong, is a good teaching moment for students.

B. Sonnentag says he thinks it would be more appropriate for sixth grade and up, with so many negative feelings encompassed in the book.

Albarado says forgiveness is a topic of the book, as is finding friends.

A motion to uphold the decision to keep the book in the library passed, with four in favor (Blanchette, Boettcher, Rowe, Albarado) and three opposed (B. Sonnentag, LaNou, A. Sonnentag).