Open Letter to the Franklin-McKinley School District
I have been a Governing Board Trustee for the Franklin-McKinley School District, grades PK–8, since being elected in November 2022. Many parents and community members have expressed to me their concerns about a growing number of books and reading materials in our school libraries (and classrooms) and those on internet sources that are available to all students on their FMSD-issued iPads and Chromebooks. Many have identified books and materials as “not age- or school-appropriate,” “of sexual nature,” and more. As an elected School Board Trustee, I have done my best to represent these concerned parents and community members.
Recently, the FMSD School Board President Rudy Rodriguez presented a Resolution to Prevent Book Bans. I argued that “Book Bans” is not the appropriate terminology, as was stated by other commenting authors, and was not necessary or appropriate. I argued parents should have access to ALL the books and materials their children are exposed to in public schools. I was elected by the community of the Franklin-McKinley School District on the main issues of Parents' Rights and Transparency, along with Academic Proficiency/Learning of our children. I reminded Rodriguez and the other three Board Trustees that parents have the right to know everything that their children read and are exposed to in their classrooms and schools, and that they have the right to opt their children and/or pull their children from classes or school events they feel are not appropriate for their children. Needless to say, Rodriguez pushed his Resolution to Prevent Book Bans of any nature or content from our children's school libraries and internet-available books/materials provided by the District to the children to access, with a 4–1 vote (mine being the Nay vote).
The pushback from many members of the teachers’ union has evidenced the battle the Parents and Community members are facing to have the right to decide what should and should not be placed in front of their precious children's eyes and into their young, innocent, impressionable minds. The response to my Nay vote on the Resolution proposed by Rodriguez was almost immediate: A post was put up on the FMSD teacher email provider encouraging people to show up and protest against Trustee Cooper for voting No on the Resolution. They even shared a sign-up sheet for those intending to show up at a Board Meeting to protest against Trustee Cooper's fight to represent the parents and community members who want more accountability and voice in their children's education. Sure enough, recently between 20 and 30 teachers and community members showed up at a Board meeting, organized with signs.
It seems, from my observations and communications with many parents and community members with children in our District, they feel like they are losing their rights to educate their children in the way they feel is appropriate. Many have expressed a desire to take their children out of FMSD schools, homeschool them, or place them in private schools. I will continue to represent all parents and community members to do what is best for their own children. It is their right! And it is our right as a Governing School Board to hear and respond to the parent's desires for their children.
