MARION COUNTY, Kan. — Marion-Florence USD 408 is dealing with harassment issues in the wake of a request by two parents to remove a book from district schools. The USD 408 Board of Education declined to remove The Perks of Being a Wallflower at their February meeting.
At that time the teacher was instructed to pause teaching the novel for four days, sending opt-out forms to parents that specified an alternate reading option. Seven of 21 students opted out. If more than 60 percent of students had opted out, the book would not be taught this semester.
In a letter to the USD 408 Community on Thursday, which was also posted on the district’s Facebook page, Board of Education President Nick Kraus and superintendent Justin Wasmuth said due to consistent harassment following the opt-outs, the English Department at Marion High School decided Tuesday to switch all students to The Lord of the Flies, a book already part of the district’s curriculum.
Despite this change, the letter said harassment of educators has continued, creating a hostile learning environment. It also stated that at no point was a book ban put in place, but this decision was made to help stabilize the classroom learning environment.
In closing, the letter said USD 408 is unequivocally against any harassment towards any staff in their buildings, and that safeguards have been put in place to make sure their staff is safe and free of distractions in their classrooms every day, expressing 100 percent support of teachers and staff.
