Martin Karp- Miami-Dade District 3
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 have spent most of my professional life dedicated to education and our students in Miami-Dade County. I was born and grew up in Miami Beach and graduated from Miami Beach Senior High. I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, master’s degree in elementary education, and Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the University of Miami. I also hold a master’s in a joint communications/business degree program from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. I was an elementary school gifted teacher for 13 years in M-DCPS before I sought elected office, and in that role helped launch the gifted program at Biscayne Beach Elementary. I served 4 terms (16 consecutive years) as an elected official and member of the Miami-Dade County School Board for District 3 from 2004-2020, having been elected and re-elected 4 times, including twice without opposition. As a father, I recall my oldest son anticipating the weekly visit his class made to the library, eager to check out a new book. My kids were all a part of the AR Bookfinder program, so every week there would be Captain Underpants, Magic Tree House, or a biography on Lebron James on the dining room table. To me it wasn’t about the book they chose, it was about developing a love for reading. As a teacher of gifted students, I encouraged my students to spend time in the library, to find books on topics which they were passionate about. Many times, it was the librarian who directed them and helped each student select the reading materials which best suited their interests. My firsthand experience, seeing the instrumental and invaluable role of both libraries and librarians carried over to my career as a policymaker. During my previous 16 years of service on the School Board, I authored numerous policy items aimed at providing support and increased utilization for our school libraries, such as proposing an inter library loan system between MDCPS and Miami-Dade County Public Libraries, implementing an appropriate K-5 reading series that addresses the unique needs of gifted students, and establishing procedures for the development and early distribution of a District summer reading list that would allow students to utilize school libraries before the summer recess begins. As a policymaker I frequently spoke to the value of school libraries and media centers, and the role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist in schools. There were times we had to choose reductions of expenses in our budget, and in those times, I always stressed the importance of keeping a librarian.
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?
As such a balance is both delicate and crucial, I believe that no individual person should be the one who tips the scales. To that end, during my time on the board I supported a committee comprised of parents, teachers, and (I believe) librarian representatives which handled how to best deal with such books and issues concerning them. For the 16 years I served on the Miami-Dade School Board, I fought to keep politics out of the classroom and libraries, and if the voters give me another opportunity to serve, that is what I will do now.
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?
Ultimately, the guiding factor in appropriateness of reading material, whether in a captive classroom setting or self-selected should be transparent discussions between the libraries, teachers, and parents. Since there is such a parity across the district in terms of reading level, values, etc., these key decisions should be kept from a top down one-size-fits-all government body, like the School Board. In a purely educational sense, librarians are particularly suited to assist students in finding a book at their reading level and which speaks to their interests. A child whose book is below or above their reading level is less likely to enjoy and complete that book, as well as pursue more reading in the future. Establishing a love for books at a young age transforms a child into an avid reader for life.
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 would like to reiterate my support for the committee established by the board, which was established and works only with full transparency between parents, teachers, and librarians. A committee that already has existed should be entrusted with the decisions regarding books that elicit complaints.
I have spent most of my professional life dedicated to education and our students in Miami-Dade County. I was born and grew up in Miami Beach and graduated from Miami Beach Senior High. I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, master’s degree in elementary education, and Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the University of Miami. I also hold a master’s in a joint communications/business degree program from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. I was an elementary school gifted teacher for 13 years in M-DCPS before I sought elected office, and in that role helped launch the gifted program at Biscayne Beach Elementary. I served 4 terms (16 consecutive years) as an elected official and member of the Miami-Dade County School Board for District 3 from 2004-2020, having been elected and re-elected 4 times, including twice without opposition. As a father, I recall my oldest son anticipating the weekly visit his class made to the library, eager to check out a new book. My kids were all a part of the AR Bookfinder program, so every week there would be Captain Underpants, Magic Tree House, or a biography on Lebron James on the dining room table. To me it wasn’t about the book they chose, it was about developing a love for reading. As a teacher of gifted students, I encouraged my students to spend time in the library, to find books on topics which they were passionate about. Many times, it was the librarian who directed them and helped each student select the reading materials which best suited their interests. My firsthand experience, seeing the instrumental and invaluable role of both libraries and librarians carried over to my career as a policymaker. During my previous 16 years of service on the School Board, I authored numerous policy items aimed at providing support and increased utilization for our school libraries, such as proposing an inter library loan system between MDCPS and Miami-Dade County Public Libraries, implementing an appropriate K-5 reading series that addresses the unique needs of gifted students, and establishing procedures for the development and early distribution of a District summer reading list that would allow students to utilize school libraries before the summer recess begins. As a policymaker I frequently spoke to the value of school libraries and media centers, and the role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist in schools. There were times we had to choose reductions of expenses in our budget, and in those times, I always stressed the importance of keeping a librarian.
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?
As such a balance is both delicate and crucial, I believe that no individual person should be the one who tips the scales. To that end, during my time on the board I supported a committee comprised of parents, teachers, and (I believe) librarian representatives which handled how to best deal with such books and issues concerning them. For the 16 years I served on the Miami-Dade School Board, I fought to keep politics out of the classroom and libraries, and if the voters give me another opportunity to serve, that is what I will do now.
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?
Ultimately, the guiding factor in appropriateness of reading material, whether in a captive classroom setting or self-selected should be transparent discussions between the libraries, teachers, and parents. Since there is such a parity across the district in terms of reading level, values, etc., these key decisions should be kept from a top down one-size-fits-all government body, like the School Board. In a purely educational sense, librarians are particularly suited to assist students in finding a book at their reading level and which speaks to their interests. A child whose book is below or above their reading level is less likely to enjoy and complete that book, as well as pursue more reading in the future. Establishing a love for books at a young age transforms a child into an avid reader for life.
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 would like to reiterate my support for the committee established by the board, which was established and works only with full transparency between parents, teachers, and librarians. A committee that already has existed should be entrusted with the decisions regarding books that elicit complaints.