NEVC School Board edits school reading list

by Johannes Brann

Meeting for two hours on Thursday morning, Oct. 24, and with six of seven board members present (absent: Deland Prough), the Northeast Vernon County (NEVC) R-1 School Board removed 15 books from the lengthy list of approved books for English classes in grades 7-12.

Among the books struck were: “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley; “Leda and the Swan” by William Butler Yeats; “The Tragic History of Dr. Faustus” by Christopher Marlowe; Excerpts from “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe; “Emmeline” by Cat Winters; the folktale “Cochiti: The Industrious Daughter Who Would Not Marry”; “Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi; “Passing” by Nella Larsen; “The Wendigo” an Algonquin Tribe story recorded by Algernon Blackwood; “The Color Out of Space” and “The Call of Cthulhu by H.P Lovecraft; “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Gilman; “Emmeline” by Cat Winters; “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “Bloodchild” by Octavia Butler. The motion to set the approved book list minus, the ones mentioned to be removed was adopted by a vote of 6-0.

Two years ago, another English teacher had submitted a request for book purchases which was lost by the then superintendent. Since this would require a supplemental purchase beyond what had already been authorized by the board, the superintendent submitted the list of books and sought approval. That superintendent decided to continue having the board review the reading list and the new superintendent at NEVC sought to emulate what her predecessor had done at last year’s October board meeting.

In a separate interview the day after the board meeting, NEVC R-1 Superintendent Christy Jones said, “I plan to develop a new process which includes board input but occurs well before the start of the school year. That way, all involved have input, can come to a consensus, the English teacher knows what lessons to prepare and the books are here when needed.”      

As is the custom, when students are on hand to make a presentation, this is done immediately after the meeting is called to order. Students Leah Bailey and Brookly Keith, along with Senior Class Sponsor Miss Cain, asked the board to approve a senior class trip which would include renting a home to stay in at Beaumont, TX from April 24-28. The motion to approve received a vote of 6-0.

Also by a vote of 6-0, a motion was approved to place a number of no longer updateable Chromebooks, laptops, computer towers as well as monitors online for sale. Also approved by a similar vote was a motion to put the district’s two oldest busses on various websites for sale.

High School Principal Dr. John Lawrence reported the end of quarter attendance totaled 95, six higher than at the first day of school. With Elementary Principal Eric Rhodes reporting an enrollment of 93 students, the district’s total enrollment stands at 188 students; both schools report attendance at 95 percent.

The board adopted the state mandated sign-up period for school board candidates, Dec. 10-31, with those interested being advised to call the school to learn the particular hours as this period includes days when school is not in session. Two seats—those of David Bruce and Connie Gerster—are up for election; Bruce and Gerster expressed interest in running again.

The superintendent reported that current School Secretary, Sherry Gerster, has been hired to be an administrative assistant overseeing the areas of transportation and food service. This position became vacant when its previous occupant, Janice Graves, left for another position.  Ms. Gerster will begin her position once she has trained her replacement as school secretary.

In a separate interview, the superintendent indicated she challenged the cooks at each school to devise a school menu that did not repeat once for a whole month. “I am glad to report they ‘relished’ the opportunity and we are adding a number of new items to the menu at each school. Empowering people creates better job satisfaction and in this case, students and staff will literally taste the benefits!”