Vincent Sullivan-Flagler District 5
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.
School library/media centers are vitally important to our children's education. The role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist is to teach student's how to use the library, teach student's how to research information in paper format, and guide students to appropriate literature.
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?
First, I would take the advice of the Board's attorney of what is legally allowed under Florida Statutes. Second, I would follow the book review process established in my County to obtain a recommendation on whether or not the book meets the requirements of Florida Statutes. The book review committee meetings are open to the public and I would encourage all interested parties to attend.
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?
I believe that all reading material (in classroom and self-selection) needs to be age appropriate. In a captive classroom, the teacher is charged with determining what is appropriate for the students. In the self selection process, the child (along with their parent and librarian/media specialist) can help a student select appropriate literature.
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.
Upon reading HB1069, it appears that a school board can only deny a parent the right to read passages that is "pornographic or prohibited under Florida Statute 847.012." If the book in question meets the requirements of 847.012, then, the law does not provide for a public review of the book, and, to provide such public review, would be violation of the Statute. The job of a school board member is not to change the law, but rather, to find the most efficient and effective implementation process for that district.
School library/media centers are vitally important to our children's education. The role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist is to teach student's how to use the library, teach student's how to research information in paper format, and guide students to appropriate literature.
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?
First, I would take the advice of the Board's attorney of what is legally allowed under Florida Statutes. Second, I would follow the book review process established in my County to obtain a recommendation on whether or not the book meets the requirements of Florida Statutes. The book review committee meetings are open to the public and I would encourage all interested parties to attend.
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?
I believe that all reading material (in classroom and self-selection) needs to be age appropriate. In a captive classroom, the teacher is charged with determining what is appropriate for the students. In the self selection process, the child (along with their parent and librarian/media specialist) can help a student select appropriate literature.
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.
Upon reading HB1069, it appears that a school board can only deny a parent the right to read passages that is "pornographic or prohibited under Florida Statute 847.012." If the book in question meets the requirements of 847.012, then, the law does not provide for a public review of the book, and, to provide such public review, would be violation of the Statute. The job of a school board member is not to change the law, but rather, to find the most efficient and effective implementation process for that district.