Board retains ‘Looking for Alaska,’ at Monday board meeting

By Jazmine Knight

The St. Joseph School board met Monday evening at the Troester Media Center to discuss updates and to review yet another challenged book.

Originally challenged on May 29 and retained in Sept., “Looking For Alaska,” the 2005 novel by John Green, has recently been appealed for being too inappropriate for SJSD students.

The board sided with committee recommendations and voted 4-3 to retain the book without restrictions.

Kim Miller, Rhonda Chesney and Isaura Garcia were among the board members who voted no.

As an avid reader, school board president LaTonya Williams says she’s glad these books are getting a lot of attention.

“Kids are going into the libraries and they’re in the more interested in the books than ever,” she said.

Williams feels extremely good about following the committee’s recommendation to retain the novel.

“I think it’s always really good in order to actually listen to the professionals who are trained in the process and not only go off of our own opinions and biases,” said Williams.

Later on in the meeting, school officials shared valuable updates regarding the district’s long range plan, CSIP plan and bond project.

Additionally, board members discussed a potential grant to add electric school buses in the near future.