11.16.11
Resolving the issue
Parent advisory note resolves Hunt Club controversy emilee kutyla
writing editor
After months of continued appeals, the controversy surrounding Brett Lott’s novel The Hunt Club is over, with a unanimous decision to have the novel remain on the recommended summer reading list for juniors. The hearing, which took place Oct. 25 at the Charleston County School Board headquarters located on 75 Calhoun Street, was first surrounded by some confusion as to why the hearing was even taking place. The original complaint made against The Hunt Club criticized the novel for its use of perverse language and violence as well as other material that was deemed inappropriate. Five members of the board sat with the understanding that the novel was under deliberation to be taken off of the reading list, something the parents filing the complaint later denied. Stephanie Ganaway-Pasley, who first protested the book, said her main purpose was to get parental disclaimers placed on reading books to guide book choices. Pasley, who reads all of the books assigned to her child, said she believed violent situations and graphic language were offensive. Pasley said she was not aware of the original decision to add disclaimers to the 2011-2012 summer reading lists, and that the whole cycle of the appeal did not fairly include her into the decision. “There was not due process, we tried to resolve this issue on the local level of school, but we were not given the opportunity to do that,” Pasley said. “A meeting was
a ith r” w ng lai ini ue F “D niq U
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A FONDUE
called, a committee was gathered, and we were left out of it completely. We were simply sent an email about the outcome, and we felt that that was not fair.” After the statements of both Pasley and media specialist Emilie Woody were made, the board debated the issue. Unanimously, the board agreed the novel should remain on reading lists, but agreed with the parents by saying there should be a more explicit disclaimer on all lists telling parents about the contents of each book. Pasley said she is pleased with the outcome of the hearing, but believes the matter could have been settled earlier had there been more communication. “I feel that the outcome is positive because from the very beginning that is what we wanted,” Pasley said, “a disclaimer on the reading material that is assigned to the students.” Woody, who has been apart of the controversy from the very beginning is satisfied by the Board’s decision, but is confused as to how the School Board is going to place the disclaimers on reading lists. “I’m not sure how that disclaimer thing is going to work out. They are going to have to decide what they feel like that means, and who decides what’s said about what book,” Woody said. “I think that is going to be a bigger process than they imagined. I’m pleased that we get to keep it.” Lott, the author who also teaches at the College of Charleston, is relieved as well by the outcome, and glad that the controversy surrounding his novel is over. “I think it’s good, I think it’s a good solution. I think it’s getting hard to figure out who it is that gets to decide what the disclaimer says,” Lott said. “It’s an ever-expanding circle of who gets to make the choice for that, but I think it’s appropriate. Every book better be read thoroughly.”
Tribal News 05
Board approves Middle College elizabeth levi
co-writing editor
After a month-long controversy over giving final architectural approval to Wando’s Middle College, the Charleston County School Board voted 6-2 in favor of continuing with the architectural design contract Nov. 14. The meeting, held at the CCSD School Board meeting room, was attended by a large enough crowd in support of the Middle College that 30 people had to watch from the lobby. Many held signs urging the board to pass the vote. This was the second vote the school board held for the continuation of the Middle College contract. The previous Oct. 10 vote was tied 4-4, holding up the project. Though school board member Ann Oplinger did not attend the Oct. 10 meeting, she was present at the Nov. 14 meeting and voted in favor of the college. Board member Mary Ann Taylor resigned her seat earlier in the day and did not attend the meeting. Board members Elizabeth Moffly and Elizabeth Kandrac both voted against the contract, as they had at the previous meeting. Moffly said she is opposed to enlarging the already overcrowded Wando. Principal Lucy Beckham, though, said she is pleased with the vote. “It’s a great victory for Mount Pleasant,” she said. “So many parents and representatives of the town were there. I could not have been prouder of all of them.” The Middle College is planned to be completed in 2014.
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