Mentor Board of Education votes to not ban two books from school libraries

MENTOR, Ohio (WOIO) - The Mentor Board of Education voted 3-2 to not ban two books in school libraries.

The decision upholds the superintendent’s recommendation to not remove them.

The Mentor Board of Education faced a heated crowd Tuesday night as parents and community members spoke about removing two books available in two different school libraries.

The two books that were discussed were “Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up For Change” by Miranda Paul and “Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas.

“Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up For Change” is currently available to students from kindergarten to fifth grade.

According to the author’s website, the book is made up of “mini-biographies of children around the world who didn’t wait until they were grown to speak up, work for change, and make a difference.”

Some of the child activists included are Greta Thunberg, Jazz Jennings, and Malala Yousafzai, as featured on the author’s website.

I have reviewed the library book Right Now! Real Kids Speaking Up for Change that is part of the collection in the Ridge Elementary School media center. Based on my review, I find no substantial reason to object to the placement of the book in the Ridge media center. In reaching my decision, I considered the School Library Bill of Rights, in accordance with Board Policy 2520.02 (Selection of Library/Media Materials). I found the book to be consistent with the School Library Bill of Rights, a copy of which is provided below for your reference. Furthermore, Board Policy 2520.02 states that “the libraries shall, with no thought toward swaying reader judgment, make available basic primary and factual material information on the level of their reading public, on any ideology or philosophy of government which exerts or has exerted a strong force, either favorable or unfavorable, in government, current events, politics, education, or any phase of life.” I have determined that the removal of the book would be inconsistent with the foregoing directive.

Board of Education members Rose Ioppolo and Annie Payne say the book raises concerns for parents and community members.

“Empire of Storms” is the fifth book in the Throne of Glass series and is being challenged by a retired Mentor Schools Elementary teacher and former school Media Specialist, according to the release from Ioppolo and Payne.

I have reviewed the library book Empire of Storms that is part of the collection in the Mentor High School media center. Based on my review, I find no substantial reason to object to the placement of the book in our high school media center. In reaching my decision, I considered the School Library Bill of Rights, in accordance with Board Policy 2520.02 (Selection of Library/Media Materials). I found the book to be consistent with the School Library Bill of Rights, a copy of which is provided below for your reference. The book contains “sexual content,” as defined in Board Policy 2520.03 (Materials Containing Sexual Content). However, I have determined that the sexual content contained in the book is not a substantial reason to object to the placement of the book in our high school media center. In accordance with Board Policy 2520.03, parents will be notified that the book contains sexual content; have the ability to review the book; and, if applicable, request an alternate book that does not include sexual content.

The retired teacher, who previously challenged The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, says the book depicts “multiple sex acts in graphic detail,” according to the release. The board members say this book is available at the high school library for students from ninth to twelfth grade.

In a statement sent Tuesday to 19 News, Payne writes, “The content that is within the challenged material is not age appropriate for students who would have access to both books.”

Payne added that book challenges are submitted by parents and community members and that board members “are only involved in voting when a book challenge is appealed to the board.”

19 News received a press release on behalf of Payne and Ioppolo on Friday, March 1.

Watch the school board meeting below.