I do not currently have children or grandchildren in the Tillamook School District, but I pay taxes in this district, and I care deeply about the quality of education the students TSD is turning out into the world. Hiding, banning, removing books from school libraries or curriculum, reduces rigorous education, which our students deserve. Books are tools for understanding complex issues; limiting young people’s access to complex issues does not protect them from these issues. If our high-achieving students are not given the opportunity to read books with complex and challenging issues and can discuss them under the guidance of a teacher, they will be at a loss when they go to college. Also, many of the issues in such books are issues the students themselves are likely to face. I believe they should have the opportunity to face them, and think about them, in the pages of books before they face them in the real world.
I understand that some of the students were uncomfortable with the topic in one of the most recent books taken off the 10th grade reading curriculum. Is that so bad? Again, do we want our students going off to college without ever thinking about or facing uncomfortable situations? I would rather see them feel uncomfortable in the safety of the classroom and gain an understanding of how to handle the situation, than to face it without that classroom learning.
Reading is a foundational skill, critical to future learning. I would like the community to consider that removing books from libraries is a slippery slope that could lead to government censorship and lead to the erosion of our country’s commitment to freedom of expression. Do not think that this could not happen here in America.
Parents have a right to guide their children’s reading. A small group of parents should not dictate what books the rest of us read. I ask that the TSD Board consider a reversal of the decision they made at the August 12, 2024 school board meeting to remove a book from the 10th grade reading curriculum.
I urge parents and other community member to let the TSD Board know if you support their decision or if you would like to see them reverse that decision.
Andea Goss
Netarts
