Board votes to remove 'In the Time of the Butterflies' from advanced middle/high courses

A motion carried at the Griffith Public Schools board meeting to remove the novel In the Time of the Butterflies from the approved novels list for middle-school and high-ability courses.

A board member who seconded the removal motion spoke at length, saying the book contains sexual-content elements they considered inappropriate for middle-school readers and argued middle-school students placed into advanced classes may not be emotionally ready for such material. The member suggested an alternate title by the same author that they said is more appropriate for younger readers.

Trustees debated briefly but ultimately approved the change; the motion passed when members voted in favor during the agenda item covering course and reading list approvals. The discussion included a statement that academic advancement does not guarantee emotional maturity, and that the district should choose alternative texts that meet curricular goals without exposing younger students to objectionable content.

The board did not provide a roll-call vote tally in the public transcript; minutes show the motion was seconded and carried during the meeting. The removal affects the district's middle-school and high-ability reading lists; staff will update curriculum materials and notify affected teachers.

What happens next: curricular materials will be updated to reflect the approved list; staff will communicate replacements and guidance to classroom teachers and families.