Community supports Hudson school board
Many give backing after threats, debate over use of book on writing in college-level class
Hundreds packed Monday night’s Hudson school board meeting to support board members after the mayor recently called for their resignations over a controversial book at the high school.
The board meeting opened with a large majority of the 400-plus in attendance giving the board a 30-second standing ovation in the high school auditorium. The meeting had been relocated from the library to the auditorium to accommodate the larger-than-normal crowd.
The Hudson City School District recently found itself in the national spotlight after Mayor Craig Shubert called on board members to resign or potentially face criminal charges over a book provided to high school seniors in a college-level writing course.
Shubert accused the district of distributing “essentially … child pornography.”
A group of parents attended the Sept. 13 board meeting to raise concerns about some writing prompts in the book “642 Things to Write About.” Among the prompts in question: “Write a sex scene you wouldn’t show your mom.”
The book has been removed from the course by the district, which also is conducting an independent investigation examining how materials are reviewed.
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh has said the writing prompts are not child pornography. But her office is investigating whether any other laws were broken by the prompts, as well as by any statements made at the Sept. 13 meeting or by the threats made toward board members.
Monday night’s meeting was interrupted by applause from a large majority of the audience members on multiple occasions.
One of those moments came when Shubert’s predecessors, former Hudson Mayors Bill Currin and David Basil, presented a joint statement to the board.
Basil urged the audience to refrain from accusations not based in facts and to condemn threats that had been made against board members and district officials.
“Let us all support our teachers, our school administration, staff and board members as together we pursue the hard work of ensuring the continued recognized excellence of our public schools and the continued greatness of our community,” Basil said.
Board president addresses controversy
Another moment of applause from the audience followed Board of Education President David Zuro reading a letter to the community that was sent to parents Sept. 23 regarding the “642 Things” book.
Zuro emphasized that none of the prompts that had caused concern among parents were assigned to students in the class.
Zuro also addressed the threats that the board had received.
“While we have received many supportive comments about this matter, it was deeply disturbing to also receive personal threats aimed at us and our families,” Zuro stated. “That is not the Hudson we know, and we firmly believe it is not how the vast majority of Hudsonites
want to be known.”
The board then approved a resolution affirming Zuro’s letter to the community.
Residents speak in support of board, district
Nearly 40 people spoke during a twohour period, with about two-thirds expressing support for the board of education and district leaders on issues of educating children and masking.
At various points, some members of the crowd interrupted speakers and began reacting to what was being said.
This prompted board member Tom Tobin to encourage people to conduct themselves in a civil and orderly manner.
“The book is not the issue,” resident Karen Gondek said. “The book is a tool that was weaponized for political gain.”
She urged people to focus on what they had in common.
“We have more in common than we have dissimilar,” Gondek. “If we stop with the tools and focus on the issues, we can come together and feel heard by our board and feel heard by our schools.”
Resident Andrea Bucey Tikkanen thanked the board for its work and apologized that members were having to deal with threats.
“Hear us tonight,” Tikkanen. “We are the vast majority. We are proud of this town [and] proud of you.”
Resident Jennifer Scheeser said she supported the parents who are upset about the writing prompts, as well as the removal of the book and the investigation of the book review process.
However, Scheeser added she was “really bothered by some of the words and accusations made toward the teachers, administration and school board members when some members of our community disagree with issues. Personal attacks on character, physical appearance and now accusations of pedophilia and child pornography are not ways to disagree. They are ways to attack.”
Critic: District has ‘lost all of our trust’
Several attending the meeting spoke in support of the mayor’s actions.
Resident Karen Matier said she feels some teachers were bullying students in connection with political issues.
Matier said if the district does not protect students, “then teachers are going to have parents sitting in the classroom watching you” and potentially videotaping instructors.
“That’s what needs to happen because you have lost all of our trust,” Matier said.
Matier, who was wearing a Moms For Liberty T-shirt, said she supported Shubert.
“He put his foot down and said enough is enough,” Matier said.
Resident Raija Daley said she felt the high school should have “higher standards” in the reading materials they offer and noted the good news from being in the national spotlight was that more parents will likely take an interest in their children’s reading materials.
Daley commended Shubert and thanked him “for standing for proper values.”
She said many of the people speaking in support of the board were part of an organized effort.
“I believe I represent the silent majority, “Daley said.
Reporter Phil Keren can be reached at pkeren@thebeaconjournal.com, or on Twitter at @keren_phil.