Complaints about books removed from circulation
Submitted | Nov. 9, 2021 |
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Communications
From: Adam Steinbaugh
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the The Kansas Open Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any complaints submitted to or received by Goddard Public Schools, including from members of the public, students, parents, or lawmakers, which concern any of the 29 books removed from circulation as described in the November 9, 2021, report from KMUW, available here: https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-09/goddard-school-district-orders-29-books-removed-from-circulation.
This request includes, but is not limited to, any "request for review" form submitted to or received by Goddard Public Schools. This request also includes any complaints or forms received or sent by any member of the school board.
This request is limited to complaints or "request or review" forms submitted on or after January 1, 2021.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 3 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Adam Steinbaugh
From: Goddard Public Schools
Adam.
Below is a district announcement on the issue related to your request and
the district will formally respond to your request in the near future.
Dane Baxa
Goddard Public Schools Staff and Families
Earlier this fall, the District became aware of a list of 28 books that are
being challenged at school districts across the nation. In September, a
parent had questions about language and graphics from a specific book in
one of our school libraries that their child had checked out. The parent
then followed up with the list of the same 28 books. The parent met with
their building principal. The parent filled out the 'request for review of
material' form and met with the assistant superintendent of academic
affairs.
When this list came to our attention, we checked with multiple school
librarians regarding the national push to challenge these books. On
Thursday, November 4th the District decided to put together a committee of
librarians and principals to examine the vetting process of materials and
review the process in place for parents to access the books that their
children are checking out. At that point, the decision was made to hold
these books until the committee could begin meeting and collect feedback
from all principals and librarians.
The committee was set to first meet next Tuesday, but the decision was made
to bring all school principals and librarians together today, the afternoon
of November 10th. During the meeting with principals and librarians, the
following was determined:
-
Communicate with families that they do have access to the database of
books their children have checked out, they can receive notifications when
their children check out a book, and that they have online access to the
catalog of books available. In addition, parents are encouraged to always
contact their building principal or librarian with concerns.
-
Review the annual vetting process of library books.
-
Not all of the 28 books were in our school libraries. Today, after the
review, the recommendation from principals and librarians is to leave all
books active and to encourage parents to contact them directly if they have
questions about the books being challenged nationally.
--
Dane Baxa
Director of Community Relations
Executive Director of the Goddard Education Foundation
Clerk of the Board of Education
USD #265, Goddard Public Schools
201 S. Main St.
Goddard, KS 67052
Office Phone: 316-794-4013
Cell Phone: 785-577-5817
Click HERE
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From: Goddard Public Schools
Dear Mr. Steinbaugh-
The District has now reviewed your November 9, 2021 request for records
under KORA. You request “Any complaints submitted to or received by Goddard
Public Schools, including from members of the public, students, parents, or
lawmakers, which concern any of the 29 books removed from circulation...”
and “any "request for review" form submitted to or received by Goddard
Public Schools.”
As to complaints received by the District, KORA excludes from release
“correspondence between a public agency and a private individual.” See KSA
45-221(14). Additionally, KORA excludes “Public records containing
information of a personal nature where the public disclosure thereof would
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” See KSA
45-221(30). As such the District is not in a position to release private
communications with parents or others on these topics. I can tell you that
the dialogue with parents never resulted in any formal challenges being
pursued.
As stated above, no formal challenge process was ever initiated. The email
from Dr. Cannizzo which has been widely distributed in the media was an
internal email to District staff to gather and review these issues
independent of any parent complaint. That email originally indicated that
the books should not be checked out during this process. That decision has
been changed and a subsequent District announcement states that the books
will not be removed during any internal review process. Below is email sent
from Dr. Cannizzo as well as that subsequent district statement for your
information.
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