JAY — Several residents of Jay and Livermore Falls shared concerns about books and bullying with Regional School Unit 73 board of directors Thursday night.

Former board member Shari Ouellette of Jay said some library materials are inappropriate and asked that parents be allowed to determine the appropriate time to discuss sex with their children. As good as intentions at schools are, children can’t be prevented from checking out books they are not allowed to see or sharing them with classmates on the bus or at recess, she said.

John Benedetto of Livermore Falls suggested using the Universal Book Content rating system.

Brooke Gray of Livermore Falls thought the book “Rick” was sexualizing children and wouldn’t want her young children to have access to it.

Steve Bien of Jay said “Rick” is about a middle schooler exploring questions of sexuality, choosing to be different and how to confront bullying in school. Those who deal with children daily know they are not all the same, he said.

“I think we have to draw the line and make it clear that we trust our teachers and their process to make decisions about appropriate curriculum for our students,” he said. “Unless the school community can make a clear stand on the issue of censorship and book bans, this will be a never ending issue that will bedevil every aspect of education year after year.”

Ouellette also spoke about adults in the community being bullied. “This is happening on both sides and it needs to stop,” she said. “This is the reason I got off the school board years ago. They came after my family. This is beneath our community because I believe that we all have our kids’ best interests at heart. So please, disagree if you would like, but stop with the targeting of family and businesses.”

Jami Baxter of Jay was concerned with bullying among female students at the middle school. Her eighth grade daughter and friends witness bullying, have acquaintances who bully, but are afraid to report it over fears of being “the next one that gets beat up,” she said. “It is not just catty name calling anymore. These girls are downright beating the bejeebers out of each other and other students and it’s really scary.”

Kris Targett, the middle school principal, is aware of the situation, Baxter said. She spoke of a girl who finally had enough and retaliated, but no one, including her daughter, was willing to step forward to name the students bullying the girl.

“I don’t know how many people are actually aware of the extent of what is actually happening,” Baxter said.

Jessie White of Livermore Falls said bullying within the school system starts with adults. She said her daughter told her of teachers speaking poorly about students. She suggested sensitivity or similar trainings for teachers.

“It is important that we hear everyone’s viewpoints because we are a community and communities are made up of different opinions,” Director Phoebe Pike of Livermore Falls said. “The melting pot makes us better. It makes us stronger together. Even if we don’t always agree on everything, that is OK.”

Once everyone agrees to treat others with kindness, respect and compassion then better behaviors can be modeled for everyone, she said. “I am proud of RSU 73 because even though we don’t always get it right, we are trying to and we will learn from our mistakes,” Pike said.

Rob Taylor, a Spruce Mountain High School teacher from Jay, referred to the district’s policy regarding instructional and library media selection and said it was important to follow it.

According to the policy, the person with a complaint is to speak to one who provided the material. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, the school principal is contacted. A challenge form must be completed with a copy sent to the superintendent.

Next, a committee is formed to review the material, write a recommendation on whether it should remain or be removed, send it to the superintendent, who notifies the complainant. During that process no materials shall be removed.

The complainant may appeal the decision to directors, who may take it up during a regular meeting or call a special meeting. Board members review the material prior to that meeting and announce their decision in writing no later than the conclusion of the next regular board meeting.

Director Tina Riley of Jay paraphrased district policy on educational materials and the steps involved with challenging them. “I think it is essential that everyone concerned consider these policies which, by law, guide our decisions as a school system and as a board,” she said.

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