Petition for Immediate Removal of Sexually Explicit Materials in ISD 271
Contact the author of the petition
Last Call- Let the District Know your thoughts on explicit material in schools!
2024-02-27 17:43:51There is only one board member that is putting the concerns of the community first. The rest are trying to rush a template policy on library materials put out by the MSBA. Let me say that again. A TEMPLATE policy.
Shouldn't the template reflect the needs of the community? The school board has heard from many (401 plus many speakers) on the subject of explicit materials. Nothing was discussed or considered to protect against vulgar, profane, no sexually explicit material from entering into a Bloomington media center.
Only one voice spoke out against rushing this policy and was trying to set a higher standard for our schools. Thank you Beth Beebe.
Speak out now. This is your last chance to have your voices heard regarding this matter before the board shuts the community out of the discussion altogether, as community members will no longer have a say once the policy passes. Only the parents, students, and staff will be allowed to challenge a book...
Superintendent Dr. Eric Melbye
emelbye@isd271.org
Assistant Superintendent, Jenna Mitchler
jmitchler@isd271.org
Executive Director of Technology & Information Services John Weisser
jweisser@isd271.org
School Board (send to all members)
schoolboard@isd271.org
Executive Assistant, District
Kimsure Lofton
klofton@isd271.org
Proposed Policy 606.5 Library Materials
Minute Mark 1:19:45
Executive Director of Technology & Information Services~ states the the purpose of the policy (that came out last fall from the Minnesota School Board Association) is to provide direction to districts about how responsibility for selection and reconsideration of library materials is done.
Board Member Starks- states that with 165,000 book selections in the system, with an average book staying in circulation for 20 years, that 8,000 titles per year to keep track of was determined by the Library Materials committee to be beyond capacity of the administration with the volume that we have.
Board Member Beebe:
1. School board has the final say on books coming into the district and if the board does not know what they are than the board is blindly saying those books are okay.
2. For parents sake: how will parents know what books are in there [media centers].
3. We need to set a stronger standard.
4. Parents are told to trust the experts [regarding book selection], but when they trusted the experts then they found out that there were books that had explicit sexual material. So maybe another thing that can be done, is that certain books if they have explicit content could be flagged so parents know [and can make an informed decision].
5. Anytime in a policy where there is an "or" it allows for things to change. Which happened in policy 606.1 where there was a choice of either leaving the books on the shelves or removing them, and no other criteria was mentioned. So who has that authority and that power [to decide], and this media specialist has a great deal of power to accept or reject materials, to research materials from where they are getting their information, but I brought up at that meeting that I observed there is bias in our high school libraries. There are not inclusive conservative biographies, conservative counter perspectives in books being presented on hot topics. That is a concern because we haven't addressed what is intellectual freedom which will allow that. I'm passionate about this. It seems as though no questioned item is going to be removed or even considered because of the criteria that's here [in proposed policy 606.5], everything passes. Nothing is going to be removed for that reason. (criteria states library materials shall meet the standard in ONE or more of the following categories: a. Artistic quality b. Authenticity c. Critical thinking d. Educational significance e. Factual content f. High interest for intended audience g. Readability)
Board Member Dymoke- Stated we [as a board] do trust the experts.
1. Trust the experts.
2. Trust the process
Board member Starks: make a Motion
"We are a board and the board makes the decision if we are done with the discussion or not . Not one particular board member and so I am going to make the motion for Library Materials Policy 606.5 to move to Part A at the next meeting."
Proposed policy 606.5: https://bitly.ws/3ekYp
Kris Seitz
Christmas Book Donation
2023-12-18 18:52:30This Christmas let's join forces to gift our school district books that will inspire our future leaders, and focus on promoting family and country!
If you would like to donate, please venmo me @Kristine-Seitz-1
I will send updates on the final donation amount and what books have been purchased in honor of uplifting the children in our community!
Merry Christmas!
Kris
Kris Seitz
Help us raise awareness as to what is transpiring within our schools.
2023-12-03 22:58:14Please find us at the following links and help us to expose what is going on within our schools.
Visit us at www.bloomingtonparentsalliance.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BloomingtonParentsAlliance
Thank you,
Kris
Kris Seitz
Important School Board Election Reminder - Make Your Voice Heard!
2023-11-03 20:36:25Removing or restricting sexually explicit materials in our schools and teaching age-appropriate lessons on gender can only happen if we have school board members willing to listen to parents and ensure that district policies reinforce parent's rights and protect students from the constant exposure to objectionable material in the curriculum, on the walls of classrooms and hallways, and incessantly promoted in the media centers and libraries.
Here are a couple great resources to get educated on the school board candidates and where they stand on these important issues:
***It cannot be overstated how important this particular school board election is for the future safety and success of all of our Bloomington public school students.
Two recent events underscore what is actually happening in the schools and how rogue teachers are working against parents and intimidating students without repercussion.
This week, we received reports that 3rd graders at Oak Grove Elementary were required to watch the following video on gender pronouns
Please take time to watch the video - it is truly an exercise in twisted logic and utterly confusing for people of any age, let alone 3rd graders that developmentally, have very limited ability to understand sexual orientation and non-normative gender roles. Combine that with gender fluidity that the video tries (unsuccessfully) to explain, and the way in which the lesson admonishes those that don't use the proper pronouns are denying basic humanity to people. This is an extreme moral judgement that can only create anxiety for young children that can't possibly understand all the social rules and consequences around pronoun usage. Lastly, don't forget that some people don't want to use pronouns, or can change their pronouns as often as they feel like it. This is not age-appropriate for 3rd graders by any stretch of logic or reason.
And then there are the alarming violent and hateful anti-Semitic comments made by a Kennedy High School social studies teacher who is possibly also a district Gifted and Talented program coordinator.
She is a leading spokesperson and organizer for several proudly socialist and anti-Israel groups locally, made national headlines for her calls for eradicating the entire state of Israel and allowing Hamas to continue their war of barbaric terrorism.
This violates policy 423 https://bitly.ws/XqpJ
In the wake of these despicable comments, our school board and district have remained silent and made no public condemnation of the teacher's comments or made any commitments to ensure the safety of Jewish students and staff. We need school board leaders willing to show basic moral leadership and refuse to allow teachers and staff with violent views and ideologies to teach and influence our children.
CALL TO ACTION(s):
VOTE!
And please email the superintendent, principals, teachers, and school board with your concerns for the above stated situations. Or call the district directly at 952-681-6400.
If we do not speak out they will take it as implied consent to keep doing what they want no matter the cost or who is harmed.
Anti-Semitic issue
Superintendent - Eric Melbye emelbye@isd271.org
School Board - schoolboard@isd271.org
Kennedy HS Principal - Molly Hollenbeck - mhollenbeck@isd271.org
Assistant Principal Kennedy HS - Katrina Mezera - kmezera@isd271.org
3rd Grade issue
Assistant Superintendent - jmitchler@isd271.org
Oak Grove Elementary - Brian Cline - bcline@isd271.org
3rd Grade Teacher - Sarah Fortner - sfortner@isd271.org
3rd Grade Teacher - Sara Loftus sloftus@isd271.org
3rd Grade Teacher - Emily Von Ruden eglomski@isd271.org
Together we are stronger!
Kris Seitz
We Need Your Help- Prompt Action is Needed
2023-10-13 00:07:50We need your help with applying pressure on the district to do the right thing.
We were told at the October 4th district meeting that the books listed on the petition will be put back into circulation once the first book is initiated for review. Per policy this is not compliant, and they have already deviated in two other ways. Superintendent Eric Melbye stated this once again at the Oct 9th listening session.
We need to hold them accountable.
This is a Call to Action!
Everyone, please email the following district employees to express concern and non consent for how they are processing through our book challenges.
This is clearly against stated policy ...
1. Each concern shall be directed to the building principal who will: retain identified materials for use or place them in the reserve section of the school collection untilreview process is completed.
During the meeting, we were told that the school board cannot change policy while a grievance is in process. One would be led to believe that this would be
the same case for any district representative that is at the beginning, middle, or end of the reviewal process as laid out in Policy 606.1.
the same case for any district representative that is at the beginning, middle, or end of the reviewal process as laid out in Policy 606.1.
2. Per policy: Each concern will be directed to the building principal.
We were told us each concern will be directed to a grade level team that will represent all schools in that grade level and be facilitated by district Digital Learning Coordinator.
3. Per policy: Each concern will be recorded on Form 606.1a and presented to the principal, who will appoint a building committee to investigate the questioned
materials.
materials.
Instead, we were told the district Digital Learning Coordinator will facilitate the appointment of a grade level committee to investigate the questioned materials.
jmitchler@isd271.org
Time is of the essence. Please send as soon as possible. Tonight preferably :)
***Please make sure to sign your name at the bottom of your email***
Together we will make a difference!
Kris Seitz
Your Support is Needed- Monday, Oct. 9th Listening Session
2023-10-08 22:16:01Please join us tomorrow evening, at the School Board Listening Session. We have a few speakers signed up to speak and we need your support.
Monday October 09, 6pm start.
Eduction Services Center- More than likely it wil be held in the auditorium
1350 W. 106th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431
And PLEASE share this petition with like minded individuals!
Thank you!
Kris Seitz
League of Women Voters Bloomington: School Board Candidate Forum 2023
2023-09-28 00:14:41Please watch the 2023 school board candidacy forum to learn about where these candidates stand on very important issues in or coming to our schools; books, sports, history, and bathrooms.
The candidates are specifically asked, "How should decisions be made about the books available in school libraries, particularily those with content that are objectionable to some or groups of individuals."
Kris Seitz
School Board Listening Session- September 11, 2023
2023-09-10 17:58:07Please join us tomorrow evening, at the School Board Listening Session. We have a few speakers signed up to speak and we need your support.
September 11, 6pm start.
Eduction Services Center
1350 W. 106th Street
Bloomington, MN 55420
And PLEASE share this petition with like minded individuals!
Thank you!
Kris Seitz
Kris Seitz
School Board Listening Session
2023-08-14 18:01:33Please join us tonight at the Listening Session. Opposition has been expressed regarding the books in the schools and we need your support.
6pm start.
Eduction Services Center
1350 W. 106th Street
Bloomington, MN 55420
Thank you!
Kris Seitz