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Parents and community clash over Seaside SD 10’s assignment of Sherman Alexie novel
Summary
At a packed Seaside School District meeting, dozens of public commenters debated whether Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part‑Time Indian is appropriate for freshman classes; parents demanded opt-in/advance notice while students and alumni warned against censorship.
A multi-hour public-comment period at the Seaside School District board meeting focused on one central issue: the district’s assignment of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part‑Time Indian by Sherman Alexie in a freshman English class.
Several parents told the board they were shocked by excerpts and asked that the book be removed from the curriculum or that families be given advance notice and a clearer opt‑out option. "I'm here tonight to voice my concerns about the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie assigned to my daughter in her freshman English class," one parent said. Speakers described specific passages as sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate for minors and questioned communication practices that left some families unaware of assigned readings.
Other community members, students and alumni argued against banning the book, calling removal censorship and pointing to the role of schools in prompting difficult conversations. "The most important books for kids to read are often the banned books," a student commenter said, adding that alternative assignments are available and that parents can request opt-outs. Several speakers also warned the board about national social-media activists amplifying the debate; one letter read into the record urged the board to differentiate between local residents and outside actors.
Board members acknowledged the strong feelings on both sides and reiterated the district’s existing policies and processes for reviewing instructional materials. The superintendent said there is an established petition/complaint form and that staff had already offered an alternative assignment in at least some classrooms. The board did not vote to remove the book during the meeting.
Next steps: district staff said they will follow established review procedures, provide information about alternatives and clarify parent-notification channels. The board encouraged continued dialogue but did not announce a timetable for any formal policy change.
