Cherry Hill School District will not require permission slips for students to access ‘sensitive’ books, according to the superintendent.
Superintendent Kwame Morton of the Cherry Hill School District is making efforts to alleviate parental concerns surrounding a recent internal memo that suggested students might need parental permission to check out certain “sensitive” library books. His remarks come in the wake of criticism from library associations and community members who interpreted the memo as an indication of potential censorship.
In a school board meeting held on Tuesday, Morton addressed the implications of the memo, which was circulated among media specialists by the district’s director of curriculum and instruction on October 31. Morton reassured parents and librarians that the district is not contemplating any policies mandated to censor or ban books from library collections. He emphasized that there are no intentions to require parental permission slips for accessing library materials.
The superintendent previously expressed similar sentiments in a statement to the school community following the publication of the original article. He also met with various school media specialists, who provided feedback on best practices for book selection, although specifics of their suggestions were not disclosed.
Morton expressed his strong support for the media specialists within the district, affirming the district’s commitment to upholding their professional judgment. During the public comment segment of the board meeting, parent Darby Malvey, who also works as a media specialist in another district, voiced her ongoing concerns regarding the implications of the memo and the necessity of discussing such issues.
Another speaker, librarian Cathy DeCampli, conveyed her appreciation for Morton’s promise to avoid outright censorship. However, she highlighted the importance of ensuring that policies do not unintentionally create barriers to student access to reading materials.
The Cherry Hill School District serves approximately 11,000 students and aims to ensure that its libraries are stocked with age-appropriate literature. Additionally, Amy Penwell, the vice president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, has raised concerns that any implementation of the protocols outlined in the memo could infringe upon students’ First Amendment rights. She pointed out that these measures would also contravene the forthcoming Freedom to Read Act, which takes effect in December and aims to prevent arbitrary book banning in educational settings while protecting library staff from undue pressure.
Board President Gina Winters confirmed that the district’s current policies align with state law, reinforcing the commitment to providing an inclusive educational environment. As discussions continue regarding the management of library resources, the Cherry Hill School District remains focused on promoting equitable access to a diverse range of reading materials for its students.
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