Second read of policy IJJ draws dispute over wording on diversity, gender and class — committee sends it back to policy subcommittee

At the policy committee’s second read of IJJ — Instructional and Library Media Materials Selection — teachers and community members urged the committee to reconsider recommended language changes that they said narrow or erase important distinctions.

Montello teacher Jay Zimmerman said the earlier language required materials to "provide comprehensive and accurate materials that are inclusive of cultures, languages, and discourses that reflect and examine the racial, class, ethnic, gender, and religious diversity of The United States." He objected to new language that, in his view, drops class analysis, flattens gender references to "women" and uses the word "America" instead of the more precise "United States." Zimmerman warned that the revision risks restoring the baseline to "male and white." He recommended restoring explicit references to class and precise geographic language.

Alan Sarvinas, who identified himself as state leader for Parents Rights in Education Maine, urged the committee to adopt language he said would allow greater parental transparency and to avoid what he called affirmative-action-style language. He also cited the Family Educational Rights and Privacy (PPRA) in arguing for opt-out protections for parents.

Committee members said the recommended wording came from Maine School Management Association (MSMA) sample language; members agreed they did not have background on why MSMA suggested those changes and asked administration to research the origin of the edits. Several committee members — including Councilor Scott Harriman — said they wanted more time to review the changes and asked that the policy be returned to the policy committee for further work. The committee did not vote on adoption and sent IJJ back to the policy subcommittee for redrafting.

No substitute or amended language was adopted at the meeting.