Table of Contents
Book Review Process
| Much has been made lately in these letters, at Board of Ed meetings, and on social media about certain books in the Glastonbury Public Schools’ libraries. From the outset, the undersigned board members have consistently identified that any parental concerns about school library books should follow established process consistent with board policy. That process involves a review of books in question when there is a complaint. The decision on whether to remove a book from school libraries or otherwise restrict access is made by our educational professionals – not by politicians pushing agendas. The books that have been the cause of some controversy have been run through the time-tested process and we trust the judgment of our educational professionals. To families concerned that such a review will lead to some larger purported “book audit”, we afford our commitment to GPS maintaining a robust, diverse collection of age-appropriate books in school libraries. We will stand up to any attempts to ban books that have otherwise been determined by our educators as being age-appropriate to GPS students. To families concerned about parental choice, we will reassure you that we support your fundamental right to be involved in your children’s education. In fact, board policy promotes your right to be involved in the materials to which your children have access. Families can request that their children’s access to certain books or subject matter be restricted. The process outlined above also promotes parental involvement. And finally, to our educators, we wholeheartedly support you. It may seem at times that you’re under consistent attack and scrutiny. You have done and will continue to do a first-rate job educating Glastonbury’s kids. That you for all of your hard work and resilience. While each of us may disagree on particular issues, we stand united behind one principle – political agendas shouldn’t interfere with our education. |
Disappointed But No Longer Surprised
| I continue to be disappointed, but no longer surprised, when the same people write the same letters each week declaring that Glastonbury schools teach a Marxist curriculum written by communists and created to indoctrinate students or to foster divisions among them. Leaving aside the recent personal attacks on board members Doug Foyle, Alison Couture and Matt Saunig, these letters charge that the members of the Board of Education are ignorant about the curriculum in our schools or that our responses lack transparency. Yet when we give factual, informed, truthful answers about our schools, their response is to ignore the truth and begin the cycle with the same accusations once again. The idea that our schools and our staff would ever teach any student to hate themselves or anyone else is not only appalling and reprehensible, but absolutely ridiculous. Our schools teach our diverse student body to respect themselves and each other. Our dedicated teachers and administrators teach the children to think for themselves and look at concepts and issues from many perspectives. Hate has no place in our school system and these accusations are only meant to inflame further rhetoric and scare tactics about indoctrination that simply does not happen in our schools. Ms. Tanski’s second lengthy letter to the edito is quite disingenuous. She served on the Board of Education less than two years ago and full wel knows that not only do principals and curriculum directors give lengthy reports to our board abou what is being taught in our schools, but also that the administration is always responsive to specific questions and inquiries we receive from parents. The board approves the curriculum and it has not recently changed. Members of the board are constantly and consistently informed about school instruction and instructional materials and are engaged in conversations with parents and the community. The TRUTH is that Glastonbury schools have one of the best reputations in the state of Connecticut. We are consistently recognized as one of the best districts in Connecticut for academics, teaching staff and athletics. Our teachers are carefully hired, thoroughly trained, evaluated in the classroom and constantly provided with constructive feedback to ensure that we provide each of our students with an excellent education. I am proud to serve alongside my fellow board members and will continue to question, inform and work to provide the best opportunities for every student in our schools. |
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