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March 30, 2010
Anterpreet Kaur
For the second year in a row, AP English teacher Teri Hu submitted the novel Bastard out of Carolina (Dorothy Allison) to be reviewed by the Fremont School Board. Last year, the district officials voted 2 for and 3 against the book. The three that had voted against the book had not read it, while one of the two who voted for it had.
“Supervisors didn’t vote from a position of knowledge. Three out of the four officials straight up admitted that they hadn’t read the book,” Hu said.
“As a parent, I just feel this is not appropriate,” District Board member Ivy Wu said.
Wu is concerned about her daughter who would read this book in AP English next year if it is approved.
Board Vice President Bryan Gebhardt believes otherwise.
“Originally, I was not in favor of this book, but I did change my mind just from my perspective, and that is, when a book is brought forth to the twelfth grade AP, it really essentially is a college book,” Gebhardt said.
To approve a book, it must first be read and approved by two English teacher. It then passes through an English department, after which the textbook committee reviews it and the final decision lies upon the District School Board. Last year the book failed to make it past the District Board.
The textbook committee will review it May 5. If passed, the District Board will review it in June.
The same five officials who voted last year will be voting again. The District Board members have not changed because elections have not occurred.
The verdict for “Bastard Out of Carolina” will be announced at the June 2010 District School Board meeting.
This article originally appeared in print on March 30, 2010. It has been modified to correct style and grammatical errors.