Carl Persis- Volusia District 4
1. Please share your thoughts related to the importance of the school library/media center and the role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist in schools.
As a former elementary and middle school principal, I know the importance of having a well stocked library, led by a vibrant, certified media specialist. Every school must have a trained, certified librarian to enhance the curricular and to increase students' interest in reading
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
A group of parents should not be allowed to instill their values on other parents. Books which were approved to be on the shelves should remain accessible. If parents do not want their children to read a book, they can opt out, however, the book, which was originally approved by the media specialist and the principal should remain in the library.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
Captive instruction should only involve the use of State adopted materials. Self-selection is wonderful. This gives students the opportunity to further their interests and explore other topics by choosing age appropriate, approved materials in the school's library.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
I believe the law is flawed. Readers, who are denied to read passages by a school board chair, should not result in the books being removed from every school in the District. I support a fair and public review of the material to determine whether the books should be permanently banned from all schools.
As a former elementary and middle school principal, I know the importance of having a well stocked library, led by a vibrant, certified media specialist. Every school must have a trained, certified librarian to enhance the curricular and to increase students' interest in reading
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
A group of parents should not be allowed to instill their values on other parents. Books which were approved to be on the shelves should remain accessible. If parents do not want their children to read a book, they can opt out, however, the book, which was originally approved by the media specialist and the principal should remain in the library.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
Captive instruction should only involve the use of State adopted materials. Self-selection is wonderful. This gives students the opportunity to further their interests and explore other topics by choosing age appropriate, approved materials in the school's library.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
I believe the law is flawed. Readers, who are denied to read passages by a school board chair, should not result in the books being removed from every school in the District. I support a fair and public review of the material to determine whether the books should be permanently banned from all schools.