By Joseph Caserto, Milton
I attended the Marlboro Central School District Board of Education meeting on Thursday evening, March 3, after reading the story entitled, “Marlboro Bans Two Books from High School.” I am pleased that the Board put the matter on the agenda, discussed it at length, and voted to approve “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone and “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo.
Like many, I was outraged at the idea that the BOE would ban any book, especially ones representing underrepresented and marginalized people. I wanted the MCSD BOE to explain why these books were not approved and correctly implement the procedures used during meetings, as I stated in a previous Letter to the Editor of this newspaper. The Board accomplished both that evening.
Mr. Cantone, the President, apologized for the Board’s confusion regarding the procedures and explained that the two books were removed from approval because there were questions about their places in the curriculum.
Several members of the Board stated they had read the books, and most spoke in support of both. Ms. Brooks discussed both books from her perspective as a Native American educator and parent. Under new business, she informed the Board that she would be introducing a proposal that everything regarding curriculum is looked at through a lens of diversity equity and inclusion, in advance of and preparation for the NY State requirement.
I am disappointed that the Southern Ulster Times chose to report the matter as a ban without clarifying that the Board removed the books from consideration for the curriculum. As a professor and professional publication designer who has worked in the media for over 30 years, I find the headline sensationalist. The wording implies that the titles are not accessible in the High School. I learned at the meeting that both books are available at the High and Middle School libraries and that a Middle School literary club uses “Dear Martin.” Those are important facts to have left out of the story.
As a member of the LGBTQ community and an alum of Marlboro Central Schools, the district must provide an inclusive educational environment. That wasn’t the case when I attended. I was pleased to hear the MCHS student who spoke in support of one of the two books in question, saying they were from the Bronx and related to the character. I felt the same hearing the student who reported on the Black History Month event the Students Empowering Equality Club held.
The Board and the public did good work by approving these books into the curriculum. MCSD BOE took the opportunity to learn from this experience. Please keep it going to make our community and schools models of inclusivity and support.