Parents and residents urge Palmyra Area SD board to read French classroom book before removal; board president urges civility

Palmyra Area SD — Public commenters pressed the Palmyra Area SD Board of Directors on Jan. 22 to reconsider a proposed removal of a French‑language classroom book and to rely on full text review rather than internet summaries.

At the start of the visitor-comments period, Harry Bonanno told the board he opposed what he described as "Mr. Steinmetz's proposed" removal of the French book and said he had read the text himself. Bonanno argued the story models "innovation, tenacity, and commitment" and questioned a decision made after consulting online blurbs rather than the primary source. "I'm puzzled why anyone would find this book objectionable," Bonanno said.

Alicia Matters, another resident who signed up to speak, urged board members to defer to teachers and to read entire texts before voting on curricular materials. Matters warned that removing materials recommended by educators could worsen teacher recruitment and retention in a district she said is "one of the lowest paid" in the area and which also faces facility maintenance issues. "When you move to ignore the recommendation of your teachers, you are sending a clear, devastating message," she said.

Other members of the public echoed those themes and urged civil discourse. Ms. Young, who addressed the board during open comment, cautioned against labeling the process "banning," saying the word elevates emotion and that the board should follow established review processes so parents can trust the district. Mr. Cleave asked whether the district has a formal definition of an "immersive" foreign-language class and whether immersion could involve cultural assignments that discuss topics such as sexual orientation.

Presiding officer framed the issue in legal and procedural terms during the president's report, saying initial school decisions about which books to purchase or assign "are not considered book bans" and that courts have recognized school boards’ curricular discretion. The officer also urged the public to avoid personal attacks and online harassment, saying such behavior "does real harm" to educators, volunteers and students.

No formal vote on curriculum or the specific book occurred at the meeting. Speakers and board members referenced several spellings of the contested title during public remarks; the board has not published an itemized agenda action to finalize the book's status. The board has said it will continue its review process; speakers asked the board to publicly confirm next procedural steps and to ensure that teachers' recommendations are given full consideration.