By Muriel J. Smith
RUMSON – Recommendations and reports on whether “Cal,” by Bernard MacLaverty, and Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman will remain on the junior and senior high school student required reading lists are expected to be released during the next meeting of the board of education, set for Nov. 17.
The books have been the subject of controversy within the district after more than 300 parents signed petitions calling for them to be removed as required reading because of their belief the books contain unnecessary lewdness and sexual descriptions and are meant for a more mature audience than high school students. The board listened to residents, faculty, parents and students at last month’s meeting and referred further study to the education committee. Faculty and students heavily favored retaining the required reading; most parents and some educators issued strong objections to it.
School Superintendent Peter Righi said this week the education committee has completed its review and forwarded the matter to an ad hoc committee according to board policy. Righi explained written policy calls for the establishment of such a committee to air public complains and grievances, and it is that committee which will report its findings at the board meeting.
The committee is comprised of the principal, the head of the department that is the subject of the dispute, in this case, the English department, a teacher from that department, the librarian, a board member, and one person from the community.
Although Righi did not name the individuals serving on the committee, the principal is Dr. Tracy Handerhan and the department head is Jack Shea. Both Handerhan and Shea spoke at last month’s meeting, both defending the quality of the works involved and explaining why they are listed as required reading. The superintendent said the board member on the committee is Sara Morris, head of the education and policy committee. The teacher from the English department named to serve on the special committee is a tenured teacher who has not voiced any opinion on the matter, Righi explained. The layperson is a former English teacher who also has not issued any opinions.
This committee will next week, the superintendent continued, report its findings to the Education Committee on Nov. 12. The committee in turn will report its recommendations to the full board at its Nov. 17 meeting. The board is not expected to take any immediate action on the recommendation.
According to parents, there are only six books listed as required reading for junior and senior students. They have called for more leeway and alternative selections for those not wishing their children to read what they consider obscene or unnecessary sexual content, and have not asked for the books to be banned completely.
In addition to “Cal,” juniors are required to read “Children of Men,” “Frankenstein.” “Sir Gawain.” “Beowulf,” and “MacBeth.” Seniors are required to read “Death and The Maiden,” “Into The Wild,” “Hamlet,” “Wonderful Wizard Of Oz,” “Flight,” and “Models for Writers.”
