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Live coverage: School committee discuses removing controversial book

A mother upset by the selection of a young-adult novel that deals frankly with life on an American Indian reservation is asking School District 2 for a second time to remove the novel from its required reading list.

3rd & 7 37yd

Mia, a junior from West High, speaks in support of the book, talking about the unique perspective it gave her. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:44:44 AM
"If you want us to continue reading, don't take away the books that we love," she tells the committee. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:46:55 AM
Tommy Tobol (sp?) a Northern Cheyenne student, gets up to speak in defense of the book. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:47:27 AM
He moved from the reservation to Cut Bank, where he was far from family and friends and felt very alone. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:48:47 AM
As such, he felt he could relate closely with the book's protagonist. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:49:18 AM
Kelly McCarthy, downtown's representative to the Montana House, speaks in support of the book. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:51:51 AM
He grew up on Billings' South Side and and wishes he'd had the book back then as it gave him a better understanding of that life. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:53:04 AM
How does she expect her child to live in the world when they grow up? scared of the things that really happen? Her child is in high school, I think they should be able to handle those things. You have to grow up sooner or later. I myself am a senior and read that book during my sophmore year, and in all honesty it is one of the only books that I actually read. I found that I could relate easily, therefore making it enjoyable to read. It is time to let her kid grow up. Also if she does not want her child reading it they should have selected the alternative offered.

by erika 11/12/2013 1:53:06 AM

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Jennifer Smith, principal of Ashland School, which serves a lot of Native students, tells her story. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:54:08 AM
She was at #SD2 when the book was placed on the req'd reading list and was part of that group that recommended it, she said.

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:55:13 AM
"Don't silence this voice," she says. It's a vital perspective for students, especially white students, growing up here. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 1:57:09 AM
Steven McCarthy, English teacher and member of the group that recommended the book become required reading, offers his view point. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 2:02:27 AM
"Through Junior, my students have tackled difficult subjects," he tells the committee. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 2:03:47 AM
"We can learn from it," he tells the committee. #sd2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 2:04:30 AM
He also says he agrees with the parents that they have a right to opt-out of certain books on the list. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:30:44 AM
Jana Hafer echoes Kevin's sentiments. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:31:05 AM
"We've got to provide the opt-out for parents," she says. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:31:25 AM
The committee is unanimous in their support of the review committee's decision in keeping the book on the req'd reading list. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:32:41 AM
They also agree that the opt-out policy needs to be better highlighted. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:33:25 AM
They will recommend to the full school board that the book stay on the curriculum. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:33:52 AM
Jana wants to makes sure the board follows up on making sure opt-out policy is handled more effectively. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:34:32 AM
The board will be tasked with reviewing, supplementing or correcting policies with respect to parent reading lists and the opt-out policy.

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:36:59 AM
Meeting adjourned. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 11/12/2013 3:37:07 AM