As a retired educator, I was appalled when I read the comments made by Sen. Lisa Kiem with regards to the vote to ban a book from the Dirigo School library (“Dixfield-based school board bans gender book from Dirigo Library, Aug. 11). Generally, I am not in favor of banning any books, but since I am not familiar with this particular book, I cannot comment on whether the School Board’s decision was in the best interest of high school-aged children.

What appalled me when I read this article was the quote by Sen. Kiem, my local legislator. As quoted:  “The evidence is overwhelming that America’s classrooms from the earliest grades are being used not to educate but to indoctrinate our children with radical ideologies, racially divisive theories, and distorted views on sexuality.”

This type of comment is right out of the conservative conspiracy and false narrative playbook. Every educator in her district should be as appalled and disappointed as I was to read this type of comment coming from an elected official.

I taught school for 38 years and I can adamantly tell you that we are not “indoctrinating our children with radical ideologies, racially divisive theories, and distorted views on sexuality.”

The only way to stop the spread of conspiracy theories and false narratives as Sen. Kiem has put forth is to vote this type of individual out of office. Our district and state deserve better.

Vicki Amoroso, Rumford

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