• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Newtown, CT school board votes to keep 2 books on shelves, despite explicit content
Economy

Newtown, CT school board votes to keep 2 books on shelves, despite explicit content

by June 3, 2023
by June 3, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

The Newtown, Connecticut Board of Education has voted to keep ‘Blankets’ and ‘Flamer’ — two books on sexuality that garnered formal complaints for their explicit nature — on its shelves.Debate over the books’ prospective banishment caused a local political crisis, with two Republican board members, Janet Kuzma and Jennifer Larkin, resigning over it.‘This process has monopolized our time and attention for two months,’ Democratic board member Allison Plante said of the debate.

A Connecticut board of education has voted two keep two books on its town’s high school shelves after weeks of acrimonious debate over book-banning that culminated in the resignation of two Republican board members.

The remaining members of the Newtown Board of Education unanimously agreed Thursday night on a compromise motion that rejected banning the books ‘Blankets’ by Craig Thompson and ‘Flamer’ by Mike Curato, with the caveat that school administrators create a process ‘to support choices of individual parents and guardians’ on whether their children will have access to the books.

As with similar debates across the country, some parents had called for banning the books because of their sexual content. School officials in March said they received nine official complaints against ‘Flamer’ and one against ‘Blankets.’

‘Blankets’ is an autobiographical story that deals in part with sexual abuse. ‘Flamer,’ around which much of the debate was centered, is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel about a young man coming to terms with his homosexuality.

Republican board members Janet Kuzma and Jennifer Larkin resigned amid the controversy on Wednesday. Larkin cited the need for a better work-life balance, while Kuzman addressed the controversy, citing in her resignation letter ‘abhorrent’ behavior by people attending public meetings.

‘I am resigning due to the complete lack of condemnation of this behavior by leadership at all levels,’ wrote Kuzman, who had proposed a compromise that would have required all students 16 and younger to receive written parental permission before reading the books.

‘I pray for our community to regain a sense of civility in the face of differing opinions,’ she added.

Both sides of the issue reported being harassed by those with opposing opinions.

The Newtown Republican Town Committee issued a statement Thursday saying, ‘There is something horribly wrong in our community when town volunteers and even private citizens who send an email, speak at a meeting or write a letter to the editor are subject to harassment.’

Librarian Suzanne Hurley said at a May 2 meeting that she and her colleagues had been accused of negligence and incompetence by ‘keyboard warriors.’

The number of attempts to ban or restrict books across the U.S. last year was the highest in the 20 years the American Library Association has been tracking such efforts.

EveryLibrary, a national political action committee, said it’s tracking at least 121 different proposals introduced in state legislatures this year targeting libraries, librarians, educators and access to materials.

During the debate in Connecticut, school officials noted that ‘Flamer’ has been in the school library since last year and has never been checked out. ‘Blankets’ has been at the library since 2013 and was checked out once, they said.

Before Thursday’s vote, Newtown board member Allison Plante, a Democrat, acknowledged fatigue over the issue.

‘This process has monopolized our time and attention for two months,’ said Plante, who proposed the compromise that was approved. ‘Please, please support this motion.’

<!–>

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

–>

You Might Also Like
  • African country’s citizens fighting for Israel in Gaza will be arrested upon return, foreign minister says
  • Kristi Noem sued by transgender group after she canceled contract
  • North Dakota considering ban on sexual, LGBT-centric library books
  • NY v. Trump: Judge reveals Facebook post implying juror discussed guilty verdict before trial concluded
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
White House refuses to answer question on Hunter Biden’s Second Amendment defense plan: ‘I’m just not’
next post
NH senior, self-proclaimed ‘veteran sniper,’ jailed for death threats to unidentified senator

You may also like

New Jersey Gov. Murphy unveils $51.3B budget plan

March 1, 2023

McCarthy vows he won’t make any deals with Democrats to...

October 4, 2023

State department defends Blinken memo urging staffers to avoid ‘problematic’...

February 21, 2024

‘Warning signs flashing’: Biden, Trump struggle to lock up base...

May 18, 2024

Which social media platforms have banned Trump and why? An...

August 5, 2024

Blinken says Hamas to blame for foreign nationals not being...

October 16, 2023

Former Pennsylvania Senate candidate Malcolm Kenyatta to run for auditor...

March 10, 2023

How the US used AI to take on the Taliban...

August 4, 2024

Massachusetts House speaker rejects legislative audit

March 25, 2023

Global Markets on Edge as Trump’s Tariff Deadline Nears

January 31, 2025

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025
    • Amazon taps Xbox co-founder to lead new team developing ‘breakthrough’ consumer products

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Cruz says Biden’s $105 billion funding...

    October 24, 2023

    Trump urges Biden to follow through...

    May 11, 2024

    Kentucky Senate approves liability insurance coverage...

    February 25, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here