Danvers School Committee votes to retain All American Boys after reconsideration

The Town of Danvers School Committee voted to retain the novel All American Boys in the eighth‑grade curriculum following a recommendation from a reconsideration committee.

Curriculum lead (staff facilitator) summarized the reconsideration meeting, saying five committee members recommended retention, one member recommended removal and two suggested retention with restrictions. The district said the committee included students, teachers, parents, an administrator and a librarian and that the process followed district policy (as summarized by the facilitator).

Parents raised concerns about the composition of the reconsideration committee and whether the district had followed its procedural rules. Parent Guy Norio urged the committee to reconvene and follow state and district procedures after saying the membership did not match the policy’s required roles.

Committee members debated how the book would be taught and whether a supplemental handout titled “White Privilege” should remain in classroom materials. Committee member S7 said the phrase “white privilege” can be a ‘‘conversation stopper’’ and asked whether supplemental materials could be revised to be more inclusive of multiple power structures; committee member S8 responded that such concerns could be addressed through instructional design and that the book should be taught carefully.

Curriculum staff said the district will review supplemental handouts and clarified that teachers retain curricular discretion within the district’s review process; staff also asked the policy committee to revisit the wording of the reconsideration policy to clarify committee membership requirements.

The motion to retain the book was made, seconded and approved by a voice vote; the meeting record shows multiple ‘‘Aye’’ responses but does not list individual roll‑call votes. The committee noted that once a decision is made following a formal reconsideration, the book may not be reconsidered for three years under district policy.

The committee directed staff to review the policy language governing reconsideration committees and to clarify expectations about supplemental materials and classroom presentation. No change to the curriculum was enacted at the meeting beyond retaining the title.

The committee moved on to other agenda items; the vote to retain the book was the last formal action recorded on the reconsideration item.