JAY — Regional School Unit 73 board of directors voted seven to five Thursday, Feb. 29, to allow the book Rick to remain in the Spruce Mountain Elementary School library.

Voting to allow the book to remain were Jay directors Elaine Fitzgerald, Tina Riley, Robert Staples and Chantelle Woodcock. Livermore Falls directors Robin Beck, Lenia Coates, and Phoebe Pike also supported keeping the book.

Those opposed were Jay director Jodi Cordes, Livermore Falls director Don Emery and Livermore directors Holly Morris, Tasha Perkins and Andrew Sylvester. Joel Pike who represents Jay was absent as were student representatives Skylar Condon and Avery Ryder.

Concerns about content in the book Rick were raised at the Jan. 25 meeting. Community members, staff, and directors spoke for and against that book and others. Following district policy, having age appropriate materials in libraries, and where banning books could lead were discussed.

A March 8, 2023 Sun Journal review of Rick notes it is a follow up to the fictional book George, is informational about other forms of identity on the LGBTQIAP+ spectrum. “Much like the representation of the racial spectrum shown in newer children’s books, Rick is inclusive because it shows that not having a crush [and asexuality] is within the range of what is typical,” the review states.

“Author Alex Gino knows that kids need to feel that they belong. This is another helpful book that growing kids with questions have available to them.”

According to district policy, when a book complaint can’t be resolved a form is submitted and the superintendent creates a committee composed of one principal at the appropriate grade level, one librarian/media specialist, one classroom teacher, the department head in the subject area of the challenged materials and one community member.

The committee considered how Rick fits with district policy IJJ on instructional and library media materials selections, Matt Charland committee representative noted. “Our opinion is based on the book as a whole,” he said.

The book clearly fits the selection policy, is fit for ages eight to 12 [the same age as students] and should remain in the library, Charland stated. The library has to have books of diverse appeal that represent different viewpoints, he noted.

Rick handles the topic in a great way, shows the ability to stand up to a bully and that Rick can learn from his mistakes, he said. The book and author have earned many accolades, it is not the book for every student, he added.

Former director Sharri Ouellette of Jay said her concerns about the book are about kids and what they should be reading in school. If parents want their children to read certain books, they can take them to the public library, she stated.

Jay resident Anne Weatherbee spent 25 years as an English teacher in the district. “I am deeply concerned about the movement to restrict availability of materials for all students,” she said. “It establishes a dangerous precedent. It doesn’t stop with a library book.”

It could move to books in science, social studies or health classes, she noted. “I urge you to continue to support and trust your educators,” she added.

Spruce Mountain High School Senior Megan Craig is president of the student body and National Honor Society. “I have a lot going on and should be ecstatic, but I am not excited,” she said.

“What is keeping me from my excitement is the fact in the past two years I have stood in front of you twice to talk about books. What doesn’t excite me is knowing that I am leaving a school district that will no longer be able to preserve the esteem of our librarians, our libraries and the novels within them.

“What doesn’t excite me is that I have to fight for the right of representation, that I have to argue against censorship.”

Why should a senior care, Megan asked. “I care about this district, our communities and about the kids, but I just don’t like the anger and the hate that comes with it,” she noted.

Craig works with the afterschool program at the elementary school, wants education as her career. “While working with kids, I see students struggling with their identity and who they are,” she stated. “I see kids bullied by others their age for being who they are.”

Craig asked directors to listen, protect the children. “Show me that when I am gone I can rest easy in knowing that you don’t just claim to care,” she stated. “Show me that you do.”

“Censorship once it starts, where does it stop,” a Jay resident whose children attended a school district outside of Maine, said. “Banning books is never the way to go.” Kids are going to read the books they want, no matter what you say they can or can’t read, she added.

Tamara Hoke, director of Jay-Niles Memorial Library said Rick is a book about being true to oneself. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-14 year olds, she noted. She implored keeping the book adding, “the child’s life you might be saving might be your own.”

Roger Moulton of Livermore Falls said the district has developed a double standard, asked where books for Muslim, Christian or cys-gender students were. He found parts of Rick disturbing, could cause lifelong confusion for eight year olds.

Morris felt the subject matter in Rick was pretty heavy for elementary students. People can dress in any fashion they want, can mutilate their body to look the way they feel, it doesn’t change their gender, she stated. “Make no mistake, there are two genders, male and female given to us by God,” she noted. “Anyone trying to contradict that truth is a liar.”

Phoebe Pike read Rick, found it to be so dry it was a struggle to finish it. If diversity of materials isn’t available in libraries, how will kids be taught to think critically, she asked. “I can not fathom why my dislike of the book justifies removing it from anyone else that does,” she stated.

“Don’t they deserve to have a book that represents them? Our job is to make sure all kids have the opportunity to find something that resonates with them.”

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