Joshua Molandes- Lee District 7
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.
I believe this role is crucial. It will dwindle and disappear because of technology if we do not protect it and teach the students how to use a library.
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?
It is the parents' right. There is no balance.
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?
Supervision is the difference. One involves a qualified teacher/guardian. The other is the child just walking around and choosing themselves. Both should be monitored to different extents based off age and grade level.
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.
The law requires public hearing on the school board's decision based off the objection. I would follow the law.
I believe this role is crucial. It will dwindle and disappear because of technology if we do not protect it and teach the students how to use a library.
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?
It is the parents' right. There is no balance.
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?
Supervision is the difference. One involves a qualified teacher/guardian. The other is the child just walking around and choosing themselves. Both should be monitored to different extents based off age and grade level.
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.
The law requires public hearing on the school board's decision based off the objection. I would follow the law.