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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS School School Continued from Page 5 , WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2001 problem programs. A number of face lifts to business and consumer science areas will be needed as well as other improvements as some of the buildings and resources are worn or outdated and in need of replacement or renovations. Overall, however, Judd believed that the outlook for the future of the program is excellent. tween high school and middle school students. Each school will decide on the how the tickets will be dispersed. According to Johnson, most schools have decided on a lottery or drawing, The Kanab High School so all kids will have a chance to Larriettes took Second Place and participate. Brent Judd introduced the First Overall in a recent stateboard to Don Reed who then wide competition in Salt Lake talked briefly with the board. City. The Larriettes perforThe new President at the South- mances ruled and ranked in the west Applied Technology Col- highest in many of the competilege, Reed laughingly described tions. While book banning in schools his hiring experience as leaving not a new issue, Kanes own is him with his head swimming. But Reed is excited to be a part School Board was asked to take of the program and to join the Harry Potter books out of the four area counties, Kane, classroom. Concerned parent Garfield, Iron and Washington, and area resident Mr. Jim Baker in this partnership. presented the request calmly Judd then gave an overview of and respectfully to the board his work as AT director for Kane and to the public which had gathCounty and gave a report card ered in defense of the literature. Bakers concern of the Potter of the general condition of the ATE, or applied technology edu- stories is based in opinion that cation, throughout the district. the books teach. a kind of reliUp front, the district is in good gion. The book, in my eyes and shape! said Judd. Enrollment many other eyes, serves as a is pretty good, a few programs primgr for witchcraft said are down and we need to evalu- Baker. Baker disagreed with the curate those. Reasons for low enrollment, riculum ofteachers who had read according to Judd, stem from and might yet read the material possible scheduling problems, aloud in the public school sysadvertising, SEOP process and tem, where the Holy Bible has 3- - 5 $ been thrown out of our schools. ' Baker stated plainly that hed like to see them out of our schools. He was adamant in citing existing laws that state religious-material should not be supported in public schools. Im not attacking Harry Pot- ter, but it doesnt belong in our schools. Baker believes that people who choose to read the material or participate in witchcraft and paganism have a right to do so, but in their own time and in their own privacy, without effecting the minds and choices of students. Board President Loral Linton asked Baker if hed personally read the books. Baker indicated he had tried but could not as it was offensive material to him. Linton held to the belief, its not really teaching witchcraft. Baker cited extensive research related materials found on the Internet. He said J.K. Rowling is a mythology major and. . . by her own admission, one third of the material in her books have been taken from her studies. Baker then referred to the books-Whit- e Magic , Satanism, Witchcraftits a smattering of all these compiled together. Baker compared Rowlings writings on witchcraft to reli- , take advantage of the Kane have had on reading spilled policy that allows for alterna- forth, not only from parent after tive materials for the students parent, but the majority of school studies ifa parent disagrees with material-th- e child can essenout. Baker clung to his tially, opt request for the books to be thrown out of the schools on the behalf of all students. Board member Joe Houston stated that he also had studied Harry Potter on the web and saw there were as many proponents of the books, now called the HP facton The HP factor that parents across the US are raving about refers to Harry Potter as a new stimuli for kids to pick up a book and begin to read. Reading is quickly becoming a dinosaur. A skill and past time whose competitor is the noise and stimuli of advanced technology. The technology that is found in the blinking neon lights, horns and whistles of childrens games and toys, and in the world of computers and TVs. With instant gratification and advanced technology as todays 21st century competitor, one might find it hard to concentrate on something as quiet and simple as the written words on a board members chimed in as well. Susan Hand, a mother and part owner of Kanabs Willow Creek Bookstore, stood and noted that it is not exactly that true religious overtones dont exist in other books. Her daughter was currently reading a book about a girl traveling by wagon train, a book with major religious tones. Hand also cited banning issues from the past, Huckleberry Finn, one of Americas classics, was a major target of banning. Hand noted that most classics include good and evil but may not specifically site witches, magic, etc. Its critical to keep Harry Potter books in our schools said Hand. One student gave her opinion of the books, Ive read all four books and absolutely love them, Ive never seen satanic rituals, said . Julia Arbogast. Karen Lawsing, a professional, licensed, clinical social worker, began with mention of children with poor social skills, among many examples of problems for whichshe has been able to use the books as a communication tool. Talking about the books and having the parents sit down and read to a child and visa versa is a strong tool to begin - page. An entire panel of parents, especially mothers in support of gions that have as many sects the books were present. It was and variations as other religions, now their turn to share opinion. such as Christianity. Personal accounts and testimony ; t ' Linton suggested that Baker of the profound effect the books $ $ See BOARD, Page 17 vr $ Charge Cards Accepted Open 8:30 HAPPY HOLIDAYS SALE! 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