Steve Kron
Sartell
There is a great deal of attention on books in the Sartell-St. Stephen school library. An article on St. Cloud Live by Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa correctly claims that two books were removed by the district while others remain. The eight remaining books are still under “administrative review” with no decision yet on whether they will return to school book shelves or not. We eagerly await that decision.
As someone who has helped challenge these additional books, I categorically state: none of the books are being challenged for their ideas or ideologies. Rather, the books are being challenged because they contain graphic descriptions of sexual acts. Any suggestion otherwise is misdirection. These books are inappropriate in a school setting. Many of these books are erotica and pornographic (think 50 Shades of Grey). Other more depraved examples include the graphic molestation of a 10-year-old girl. Another details the rape of a 12-year-old girl by her father and the resultant pregnancy, and still another details anal masturbation using a vegetable. I struggle to see the literary or artistic value that would justify their place in the school library. There are simply better choices for kids!
Sadly, more books are being discovered. In addition to the initial 10 books, there are 37 additional books to date that have been reviewed by parents and that will be challenged because of explicit sexual content. How and why these books were ordered remains unanswered, but purchase order data indicates these books were specifically requested.
I speak for many who are disturbed by the level of graphic and obscene sexual content that ISD748 makes available to minors. Still, I’m optimistic that with new district leadership, and parents who remain engaged, honest vetting of these materials is possible. Our motivation to stay engaged in this work is the thought of young students unknowingly stumbling upon these books at school. These materials coming from a place of authority, trust and influence; makes it all the more disconcerting! In this manner, the potential influence and harm to students is far greater than trash found on the internet. We must get this right!