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Candidates back local control over curriculum, defend district DEI and oppose blanket book bans
Summary
Candidates told the forum the district should retain authority over curriculum choices, reaffirm DEI commitments and rely on librarians and committees rather than political bans when reviewing library holdings.
Candidates addressed how the district should respond to federal directives on curriculum, the role of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, and whether books should ever be removed from school libraries.
Edith Leet said the district should determine curriculum “that’s appropriate for the city of Albany and the students who live here” and avoid directives the board believes would harm children, while following applicable laws. Sreedhar Chitoor described the district’s equity policy and said the board’s policy committee is reviewing policies with input from the district’s equity team; he said federal funding represents a small portion of the district budget and affirmed DEI practices for the district’s diverse student body.
On book challenges, all three candidates told the forum they opposed broad bans. Chitoor said librarians and committees should recommend materials and that removing books for political reasons “is not doing anybody a favor.” Austin Wolfgang emphasized trusting trained, credentialed librarians and called for parents to raise specific concerns for review. Leet warned that banning books can increase interest in them and said libraries should offer books at multiple reading levels with teacher and librarian guidance.
Candidates cited the district’s existing equity policy and committees as the appropriate venues to vet curriculum and library selections rather than outside mandates.
