Radnor curriculum committee hears public pleas to reinstate three graphic novels

Residents, alumni and students pressed the Radnor Township School District curriculum committee on April 15 to return three recently removed graphic novels to high‑school library shelves and to revise how the district handles individual challenges to library titles. Committee members said the committee cannot take final action and recommended the matter be considered by the full board.

Meg Stathelt of Wayne, who identified herself during the public‑comment period, told the committee she signed a request to put the books back immediately and said Fun Home offers “the most honest and realistic depiction of anxiety in a child that I've seen.” She urged the district not to wait for a policy revision, arguing that removal “sends a message to queer students that their stories don't belong in the library.”

That call was met by other speakers who defended librarians and the value of representation in school libraries. Alumna Abby Longman read a letter signed by 15–20 Radnor graduates and described libraries as “places where we can be ourselves, seek out information, challenge each other and find a deep fountain of creativity.” A student representative said some pupils feel confused and frightened by the prospect of banning titles and that a ban could chill access to material on LGBTQ issues and mental‑health experiences.

Not all public commenters opposed removal. Michael Lake of Bryn Mawr, citing “board policy 140 4.1” and passages he read from Pennsylvania law (transcript cites PA Code Title 18 §6312 and §6301) and a federal statute (transcript citation rendered as 18 USC §1470), argued that committee members and educators had followed policy when the challenged titles were removed. Lake said the prior committee vote to remove the books was 5–1 and described the decision as the result of the information available to educators.

Committee members repeatedly reiterated that committee meetings are for discussion and that a committee decision is not a final board action. “In committees, there actually are no actions that are effective as full board action,” the chair said, explaining that a subsequent full‑board meeting will be the venue for any formal vote.

Several committee members praised the civil public discourse and the expertise of the district's librarians while urging the policy committee to complete revisions that would clarify the challenge and appeal process. Member Miss Duffy said she supports “process” and wants to see the policy work continue so decisions can be grounded in policy. Miss Locke said the topic is suited for the full board since it spans policy and curriculum.

The curriculum committee concluded by recommending that the book removals and related policy questions be placed on the full board agenda for next week. That referral does not itself change access to the books.

Next steps: the committee forwarded the item to the full board; the full board is scheduled to consider the matter at its next meeting.