Chris Braunlich expressed concerns about bias in how FCPS book challenge committee members were selected. He pointed out a committee member on this challenge had written a letter to the school board saying she wanted these books (including this particular book) to stay. He said her pre-determination should have precluded her selection.
PABBIS: FCPS likes the committees to be biased against challengers. The fact is a majority of members on each committee are paid employees of the FCPS who try to operate in secret from the public. Yes, Destiny Burns was clearly a biased appointment to The Chocolate War review committee. Burns and some others, including Lynn Terhar her affiliate who is now running for school board, have been working closely together to keep explicit and graphic material in the schools.

Chris Braunlich pointed out the reviews did not support use in elementary school; the reviews consistently said MS and HS. He said he did not agree with the preliminary FCPS legal counsel opinion that FCPS couldn't tell parents what their own children were reading, even in ES. He also pointed out FCPS stating the book offered "teachable moments" was not correct since it was in the library, not in the classroom.
PABBIS: FCPS pays attention to "professional reviews" only when they feel like it. FCPS council record is suspect once again.

Stu Gibson said "parental involvement" did not require the schools to tell parents what their own children read. He said "taken as whole" the book was appropriate in ES.
PABBIS: Sounds like Stu.

Mychele Brickner pointed out that this book was now only in one ES, the one the challenge was submitted in (Halley ES). It was not in any other ES in the whole system. She said the other elementary schools had already made a decision. It was unanimous (over 100 ES's) except one - all the elementary schools had either decided not to select this book in the first place, or had removed it.
PABBIS: When The Chocolate War was initially challenged it was in seven ES's. Six of these schools decided to remove it. Some claimed it was "lost." FCPS decides to spend $2600 to defend a book that over 99 percent of the elementary schools don't even have - what a waste of taxpayer money - $2600 for one book in one elementary school!

Rita Thompson noted that the FCPS council's letter said parental notification MAY not be allowed and that we (school board) need to get the final opinion. She said she was concerned about children having to form opinions without the guidance of their parents involved.

Robert Frye said that books don't "jump off shelves" - we have librarians - they pick appropriate books - they should do their job.
PABBIS: They don't jump on shelves either. The librarians that selected this book for elementary school children, especially the ones that kept it after being informed about it, are doing a BAD job with our tax money and children.

Ernestine Heastie said 3 parents on the challenge committee wanted to keep this book. She said children should "discuss" the books they take home with parents.
PABBIS: Right... those unbiased parents on the committee. Sure, blame it on and place the burden on the children and parents. What about the books they don't take home?

Jane Strauss said there is only one copy.
PABBIS: Instead of pointing out there is only one copy (now) in ES, she might consider that the 99% of elementary schools without it (now) just might be correct.

Cathy Belter said that some 6th graders might be "advanced" readers and would be ready for this book. She said down to only one book, it doesn't make sense on how to proceed.
PABBIS: Well better than the time she said she was proud about a book with a sadistic lesbian nun being in middle school. Regarding that some children are "advanced" readers - did she mean that they have good reading speed and comprehension or that she equates "advanced" readers with children ready for vulgarity, sex and violence? Here is a good way to proceed - do your job and correct the situation in the one school that made a bad decision.

Chris Braunlich thanked Cathy Belter for helping make his case. He said again he did not share the opinion of FCPS legal council regarding the opinion that parents can't be informed. He said the situation was the book was in only one ES with no review supporting its use there. He said all reviews and fact it was in no other ES in the system supported not having it used at that grade level. He suggested that the school board should admit that someone down the road would say a mistake had been made on this book's placement in ES.
PABBIS: Admit bad judgment? No, they are too arrogant for that.

Ernestine Heastie said the book was a "choice" and maybe the one ES with it had a (special) need.
PABBIS: Yes, placing the book in ES libraries at taxpayer's expense for use with children was a "choice" by certain FCPS personnel. Maybe they could inform the public about this special need to have this book in just this one ES. Wonder what special teachable moment that could be?

Cathy Belter after the vote made one last comment. She said that there are 6th graders in middle school.
PABBIS: Lets see if we follow her ALA like "extension theory" reasoning - since there are 6th graders in ES if the book is not used in ES one would have to also prevent 6th graders from it in middle school and that would just be so hard. We don't buy your inane "reasoning" Cathy, bottom line is you think a book with multiple uses of the s-word, two dozen uses of 'bastard,' other foul language, masturbation, 'rape by eyeball' and other controversial material is acceptable for use with our tax dollars in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL with 6-11 year old children.

Click Here to access the challenger's statements to the committee for The Chocolate War and for more information on specifics of the controversial content in this book.

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The Chocolate War

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK IN FAIRFAX COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS