OCR Text |
Show Grendel's furor increases involvement by parents "We received letters of support from a variety of sources," said Zeeman. "A BYU professor wrote a letter to a daily newspaper expressing his belief that the book had a very moral theme; faculty members from many different schools provided their input and support, sup-port, recognizing that this was not only a Viewmont issue. "Most importantly, we received numerous telephone calls, letters and visits from former students and their parents. We found out that the vast majority of parents trust us and believe in our integrity. Without the controversy, con-troversy, we probably would never have discovered this feeling of trust-and, at the same time, we were forced into an examination of our teaching methods and rationale for using Grendel in the classroom." Dr. Ray Briscoe, a veteran school board member representing rep-resenting a portion of the Viewmont election district, said he thought the book battle would "increase the dialogue with people of good will to build even better-quality better-quality schools. "I think the Viewmont teachers do a great job," he said, "but this examination can force them to do an even better job. I feel strongly that parents and students must have the option to select an alternative novel, but I don't believe any segment of society has the right to tell others what they can or cannot read. ' ' Briscoe said he had read the first five chapters of Grendel and found it "a difficult book to get into, a book that demands careful and sensitive instruction by professional teachers." The book also contained, he said, important lessons that students ought to learn. "When I read the early chapters, I envisioned President Presi-dent Bush and Saddam Hussein, the Monster of War, the overwhelming strength and limitations of humanity, and man's inability to sometimes communicate. The book contains themes of high human value. ' ' Kendell said he recognized the parents' concerns over certain passages, but disagreed with the often-heard often-heard claim that all literature should be "uplifting." "There's much in history that is simply uncomfortable," uncomfor-table," he said. "For instance, it's difficult to sanitize the Civil War, and many passages in our great literature contain disconcerting events and themes. Huckleberry Finn, for instance, has been challenged in some communities com-munities for its inclusion of racial slursand yet the novel is one of the great anti-slavery works of all time. Kendell also praised the actions of Viewmont Principal Prin-cipal Paul Waite for his "balanced support of his faculty facul-ty and the community. ' "In a highly-charged atmosphere, Paul Waite acted with a great deal of grace and leadership," said the superintendent. Following the 10-1 vote by the book review committee, com-mittee, the decision announced Tuesday by Dr. Fleming Flem-ing was not unexpected. In her decision she wrote, "The school district affirms the right of parents to request re-quest a review of any portion of the curriculum if the material is perceived to be inappropriate. When a request re-quest is filed, that request provides a constructive and desirable process for reviewing curriculum materials. ' Fleming's decision also recommended that teachers only use the book in conjunction with the 12th grade reading unit on Beowulf and the Old English period, that students retain the right to choose an alternate text after discussion with their parents, that teachers prepare students to understand the context and meaning of the book, and that teachers consider the maturity and reading level of the students before assigning the novel. "We respect the point of view presented by those requesting re-questing a reconsideration of the book," she wrote. "However, the weight of the evidence and opinion clearly supports its remaining in the curriculum. ' ' Fleming, a former principal at Viewmont High, is charged with administration of curriculum issues and was not a member of the 1 1 -person review committee which recommended approval of the novel. By BRYAN GRAY Clipper Correspondent BOUNTIFUL A Davis County School District decision to keep the controversial novel Grendel in 12th grade English classes may have disappointed detractors, but the book furor could lead to a healthy and increased parent involvement in the school system, educators said. "There's always concern that some parents may believe that we ignored their suggestions," school ; Supt. Dr. Richard Kendell said "However, the mere i fact that a particular viewpoint was not sustained does not mean that it was not genuinely considered. In a democracy, everyone has a say but obviously not everyone can have their own way. The fact that the book review process occurred is evidence that an individual in-dividual parent's voice is heard by our educational community." Kendell s acceptance of a decision written by Assistant Assis-tant Superintendent Nancy Fleming may not have brought an end to the debate, however. Several parents including Marie Burke, the Viewmont High parent who initially complained about John Gardiner's Grendel, said they would appeal the decision to the superintendent superinten-dent and the school board. "Our feelings on the book haven't changed," Burke told reporters, "and we feel that our views were misrepresented." Burke also said the book review committee was "stacked" with educators and should have included parents solely from the Viewmont High community. Kendell responded that his office is "always open" for parent comment "Any appeal of the decision to keep the book should be directed to my office," he said. "But an appeal should not be just a search for a sympathetic ear. I would hope any appeal would contain substantive evidence which was overlooked in the review process. If the sincere parents challenging the book have any new perspective they wish me to consider, I'd be happy to hear their views. ' ' For the time being, however, the book will continue to be used as a supplementary novel in connection with study of the Anglo-Saxon literary period.' Following the initial complaint to Viewmont Principal Prin-cipal Paul Waite, the school's English faculty testified that "the book, taken as a whole, is highly moral" and an 1 1 -member committee of teachers and parents voted 10-1 last week to recommend that the book remain in the school. The controversy led to highly emotional charges and counter-charges, numerous radio and television interviews, inter-views, and "sellouts" at local book stores. Burke claimed that students had burned a Nazi swastika on her front lawn, while several Viewmont teachers reported receiving obscene telephone calls. Yet educators agreed this week that the debate may achieve positive results. Sherrie Johnson, chairman of the charitable Davis School District Foundation and the author of a letter last week in the Davis County Clipper suggesting that students should not be forced to read a book they found objectionable, noted that the controversy had "opened the lines of communication. " "I have learned from news reports and school communications com-munications that parents and students have always been able to select an alternative novel," she said. "Frankly, I had never been aware of this policy. The book debate suggests that parents should become more involved in their student's education. That's a positive sign for the schools and the community. ' Ken Zeeman, Viewmont's English Department chairman, echoed Johnson's view and said the controversy con-troversy had unified English faculties throughout the state. |