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Penfield convenes review committees after three library book challenges, Bluest Eye not currently required reading
Summary
The district convened three reevaluation committees under Board policy 83-30 to review challenges to library holdings including Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye; officials said the Bluest Eye is no longer being taught in the AP Literature course though it had been approved previously.
The Penfield Central School District on April 8 said it has received requests to reevaluate three books in school libraries and has formed three review committees under Board of Education policy 83‑30 to examine the materials.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Maloney said the three challenged works are The Rainbow Parade by Emily Nielsen (as read out in the meeting), Aliens and Other Visitors Not Near Normal: The Paranormal by Ruth Owen (as read out in the meeting) and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Per Board policy 83‑30, the superintendent appoints review committees that may include a library media specialist, a certified teacher, a curriculum administrator and, when suitable, a parent or student. Stakeholders who expressed interest were invited to serve and committee membership was randomly selected from volunteers.
Dr. Maloney said each committee will read the full work, review the district’s Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Framework and the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements, and evaluate the work against the 20 selection criteria listed in Board regulation 83‑20. He emphasized that committee reports need not be unanimous and that majority and minority reports are permitted. Findings will be compiled and provided in writing to the person who filed the original challenge, and any material removal would apply only to the specific library where the objection was filed unless the committee recommends broader action.
On the Bluest Eye, Dr. Maloney told the board the book “is not currently required reading.” He noted that while the district previously approved The Bluest Eye for use in the AP Literature course, the book is not presently being read in that class.
Ending: All three reevaluation committees were convening during the week of April 8 and will submit written reports to Superintendent Dr. Potter for further administrative action per policy 83‑30.
