Latest news with #LibraryMaterialsPolicy
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. Francis Schools hit with two lawsuits over controversial book policy
The Brief St. Francis Area Schools received two lawsuits over its book policy on the same day. Education Minnesota St. Francis and ACLU Minnesota filed complaints on Monday. Dozens of people protested the Library Materials Policy outside the district office. ST. FRANCIS, Minn. (FOX 9) - St. Francis Area Schools (SFAS) received two separate lawsuits on Monday challenging the district's book policy. The complaints allege the school district is banning books "unlawfully". The backstory The policy at the center of this controversy is the district's Library Materials Policy the school board passed last year. The policy relies on a book ratings website called Book Looks to filter what books can make the district's library shelves. Critics of the policy have taken issue with relying on a singular, outside source to decide what should be on the district's library shelves. Supporters of the policy said it is in place to protect students from any harmful material. Legal battle Education Minnesota St. Francis filed a lawsuit on Monday alleging the district banning books violates state law by discriminating against certain viewpoints. The union filed a complaint in Anoka County District Court on behalf of eight students in the school district. All eight students have parents who are teachers. Education Minnesota said the purpose of the lawsuit is not to seek any monetary damages or attorney's fees, but to reverse the book bans. The ACLU of Minnesota also filed a similar lawsuit against the school district on Monday. "The St. Francis Book Looks policy is a particularly egregious violation of St. Francis students' constitutional right to free speech, to receive information, and to a uniform an adequate education," said Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, ACLU Minnesota attorney. "We want the local ability to look at our books, decide which books are best for kids, have healthy conversations between parents, educators, and school board," said Ryan Fiereck, Education Minnesota St. Francis president. What's next Board Chair Nathan Burr said he is not able to comment on any details of the lawsuits at this time, but did confirm both lawsuits are being reviewed by the district's legal team. Burr said the district is committed to transparency and addressing them thoroughly and appropriately. The Source St. Francis Area Schools, Education Minnesota, ACLU Minnesota
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'The Kite Runner' author 'bewildered' by book ban in St. Francis Area Schools
The Brief The author of "The Kite Runner" speaks out against a Minnesota school district's book policy. St. Francis Area School's board voted to adopt its Library Materials Policy in November. The school board committee will be revisiting the policy on Monday. ST. FRANCIS, Minn. (FOX 9) - Some parents in St. Francis Area Schools (SFAS) want to turn the page on its book policy. They do not agree with relying on a singular website as the final say on what makes library shelves. Instead, they are pushing for a local committee. Timeline In November, the SFAS school board at the time approved a Library Materials Policy that required books to be filtered through the Book Looks website. According to the policy, books with a three rating or higher on Book Looks' zero-to-five rating scale are considered problematic. "The Kite Runner" was given a four by the website, citing "sexual assault" and "mild profanity" as concerns. "The Kite Runner" is marked as being pulled on the SFAS' list of "Books in the Reconsideration Process." What they're saying Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner" said books are an invaluable opportunity to live in another person's shoes – just for a little while – and to hear his book is being called "harmful" is "bewildering." He said this coming-of-age story has inspired students across the country for decades. Hosseini shared some of the messages he has received from high schoolers over the years. "They tell me the book's de facto tagline, 'there's a way to be good again,' inspired them to look inward, and mend broken ties," said Hosseini. "The notion that this book is harmful to students when the response from the students and their teachers is so overwhelmingly enthusiastic and positive is frankly bewildering to me." Local perspective Ryan Fiereck, President of Education Minnesota St. Francis, as well as a parent in the district, said what educators would like to see is a local process of reviewing materials. They would like to have more say in the process rather than solely relying on an outside website, whether it be Book Looks or something else. What's next Board Chair Nathan Burr said the status of the ratings website will be discussed in a committee on Monday ahead of the school board meeting. Burr also acknowledged hearing concerns on both sides and said the board will continue to engage the community. The Source St. Francis Area Schools, Education Minnesota, FOX 9 reporting, Interviews
