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West Bend board to decide on The Glass Castle and The Color Purple after committee review
Summary
The West Bend School District Board discussed two book-club titles — The Glass Castle and The Color Purple — July 28 and agreed to place each on a future agenda for formal action after curriculum and policy committees refine the district’s content filters.
The West Bend School District Board spent an extended portion of its July 28 meeting discussing two book-club titles teachers proposed for fall: The Glass Castle and The Color Purple.
District staff reviewed the board’s three-content filters (graphic violence, sexual content and obscene language), presented line-level examples and highlighted where each title had raised questions. Administrators said both texts are offered as book-club choices (not whole-class required texts) and that parent/guardian permission is required for participation in book clubs; families may opt out or sign a blanket permission at the start of the year.
On The Glass Castle (a memoir proposed for honors English 1, ninth grade), staff said the book contains violent episodes related to alcohol-fueled behavior and 71 instances flagged in a language review for words the district classifies as obscene. Staff described the book as a memoir that many colleges include on reading lists and emphasized the text’s redemptive arc. One trustee said the count mattered. “I think 71 instances is excessive,” Board member Chad said during the discussion. Other trustees said the book’s literary value and the fact it is a choice book weighed in its favor. Board member Kelly said, “If you haven't read this book, you need to read this book. It's probably one of the best books I've ever read.”
On The Color Purple (proposed for honors English 2, tenth grade), staff said the text contains more frequent references to sexual violence, racialized brutality and uses of the N-word and that it appears on advanced-placement course lists. Trustees debated whether those elements, presented matter-of-factly in the text, would be age-appropriate for tenth graders. One board member said the book’s historical context and use as AP-level material inform the decision.
After discussion the board chair asked whether there were objections to placing both titles separately on the next board agenda as action items; trustees had none and the chair said both books will be scheduled for a future vote. The board also directed administration to send the discussion and outstanding questions to the curriculum and policy committees so they can refine the district’s threshold and working definition for “obscene language” and other filters before the fall. Administrators said they would provide teachers an answer so classrooms and units can be planned for quarter one.
No formal approvals or rejections were made at the meeting; the titles will return to the board for action following committee work.
