Sarah Marzilli- 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.
First, I respect the fact that media specialist have to have vast knowledge across many genres for all age groups. l, myself, have tapped into the knowledge of our wonderful media specialist. As an art teacher, I’ve borrowed books on the artists Frida Kahlo and Vincent Van Gogh. Media specialist are trained in vetting books for grade and age appropriateness. I trust and believe in their professionalism as they navigate through books for our students, teachers, and parents.
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?
The bottom line is that a parent has a right to deny/approve their own child’s access to library materials. If a parent finds certain materials inappropriate to their beliefs, then their child, should not have access to those materials.
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?
In the classroom books and resources are chosen to teach state benchmarks.This also includes district provided resources provided to the teacher. When student self select books, they are selecting books that are of interest to them.
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.
This question has much to unpack. According to a memorandum sent from Paul Burns, chancellor of Florida Public schools, to all superintendents stated that “ Parents have a right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection and if the school board denies a parent The right to read the passages due to material being pornographic, the School board shall discontinue use of the material.” Your question seems to delete certain aspects within my clarification. I would say pornography has never been, and should never be allowed in schools. Second, I would refer any type of legal question to our to the school board attorney. However, I currently do, and have always supported a public book review.
First, I respect the fact that media specialist have to have vast knowledge across many genres for all age groups. l, myself, have tapped into the knowledge of our wonderful media specialist. As an art teacher, I’ve borrowed books on the artists Frida Kahlo and Vincent Van Gogh. Media specialist are trained in vetting books for grade and age appropriateness. I trust and believe in their professionalism as they navigate through books for our students, teachers, and parents.
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?
The bottom line is that a parent has a right to deny/approve their own child’s access to library materials. If a parent finds certain materials inappropriate to their beliefs, then their child, should not have access to those materials.
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?
In the classroom books and resources are chosen to teach state benchmarks.This also includes district provided resources provided to the teacher. When student self select books, they are selecting books that are of interest to them.
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.
This question has much to unpack. According to a memorandum sent from Paul Burns, chancellor of Florida Public schools, to all superintendents stated that “ Parents have a right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection and if the school board denies a parent The right to read the passages due to material being pornographic, the School board shall discontinue use of the material.” Your question seems to delete certain aspects within my clarification. I would say pornography has never been, and should never be allowed in schools. Second, I would refer any type of legal question to our to the school board attorney. However, I currently do, and have always supported a public book review.