Debate over decision to remove novel from libraries reaches Williamsburg-area school board

Dozens of people have protested a decision by the Williamsburg-James City County school division to remove a novel from high school libraries after a parent complained. So far, the school board hasn’t taken any action.

The book in question is a novel published in 2012 called “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” the story of two troubled teens who befriend a girl with a terminal illness. Critics across the country have sought to ban the book, saying its themes and use of profanity make it unsuitable for children. A handful of people addressed the school board about the book at its meeting Tuesday night.

“The School Board has absolutely no interest in arbitrarily restricting student access to literature,” board Chairman D. Greg Dowell Jr. said. “At the same time, the School Board has a lawful responsibility to create pathways of formal review.”

Parent Jill Pyles filed a complaint in February, asking that Lafayette High School remove the book from its library shelves. According to school board policy, such a request initiates a process that starts with a review committee being formed at the affected school to consider “retaining or withdrawing the material.”

In this case, the Lafayette committee voted to keep the book, so Pyles appealed, bringing the matter before Assistant Superintendent Catherine Worley, who formed her own committee at the district level. The second committee overruled the first ruling and decided to pull the book from both Jamestown and Lafayette high schools.

“While it is an unfortunate reality that no policy will satisfy the desires of all people at all times, this policy does provide a mechanism for teachers, parents (and) community members to have a voice and then to further become engaged in a collaborative process of thought,” Dowell said.

Despite this assurance, some parents who spoke during public comment said that there was a lack of transparency in the decision. Only the school librarians were officially notified, but the news quickly spread through word of mouth. A campaign on the Action Network website has resulted in dozens of people submitting letters petitioning the school board to reverse the decision, and a similar petition is circulating on Change.org.

“As a parent of two current WJCC students, I am perfectly capable of regulating and parenting my students on what I deem appropriate for independent reading,” said Jessica Anderson, the Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates’ 71st district seat. “I do not need local officials or other parents making those decisions for me and overriding my parent rights.”

Others spoke in favor of the book removal. Phyllis Eastman, who described herself as a former teacher, called the debate as an “asymmetrical battle for America.”

“Why did Jamestown High School and Lafayette have a book with a tremendous number of profane words including the F word 83 times?” she asked.

No students were present to speak on the issue of the book removal, but Meghann McKnight, a teacher at Jamestown High and parent of two WJCC students, read a statement from one of her students.

“This book will prevent students from having access to literature that could help them process difficult emotions,” she read from the letter. “The WJCC School Board must act now to bring this book back to our school library, so that every student can have easy access to obtain it.”

In response to the public comment, school board members emphasized the importance of civility during discussions. Board member Andrea Donner said that everyone should keep in mind that kids are watching how adults conduct themselves. Board member Julie Hummel said that it’s clear when an issue like this comes up, policies need to be revisited.

“We need to see what’s causing confusion,” she said, “what needs to be tightened up, what needs to be clarified (and) what needs to be transparent.”

The issue is expected to be discussed at the board’s next policy committee meeting on Wednesday.

In other business Tuesday, the school board adopted a budget of nearly $191.9 million for the next fiscal year, which includes a 7% raise for eligible staff.

The proposed school budget approved March 21 had needed to be adjusted, said Rene Ewing, the school division’s chief financial officer, because no budget compromise was reached at the state level and local appropriations were less than expected.

The original proposed salary increase of 10% for eligible WJCC staff was dropped to 7%, the 1% one-time bonus payment was removed and workers’ compensation insurance was reduced, with adjustments totaling $4,368,500.

The James City County Board of Supervisors adopted a budget May 9 that gives the county administrator the ability to give the school division an additional $2 million if expected state funding does not come through.

“We’re very appreciative of this, as it will allow us to move forward with a budget that will include a 7% pay increase for eligible staff and allow issuance of employment contracts,” Ewing said.

J.W. Caterine, jwcat757@gmail.com