Sparta school board made right decision to move book to high school library

As a father of three children who attend the Sparta Township Schools, I am writing to express my unwavering support for the Sparta Board of Education’s recent decision to relocate the book “The Upside of Unrequited” by Becky Albertalli from the middle school to the high school library.

It is imperative to acknowledge the value of democratic decision-making; the Sparta Board of Education’s decision exemplifies this principle.

As a body of elected officials, the board is responsible for providing checks and balances and making decisions that align with the values and beliefs of the community they serve.

While the committee responsible for evaluating the book’s content played an essential role in the decision-making process, it is the board’s responsibility to review and consider their recommendation along with other factors before making a final decision.

The School Library Journal provides an invaluable resource for educators and librarians when making decisions about appropriate reading material for students. The content rating of “The Upside of Unrequited” in the School Library Journal indicates that this book is most appropriate for students in ninth grade and above, making the board’s decision to relocate the book to the high school library a responsible one.

The relocation of the book ensures that it is appropriately accessible to its intended audience while providing all high school students with greater access to it.

The Sparta Board of Education’s decision to relocate the book to the high school library reflects a commitment to ensuring that our students have access to age-appropriate literature.

As a parent, I feel strongly that my children and all Sparta students should have access to suitable literature that reflects our community’s values and promotes their intellectual and moral development.

Thank you for considering my opinion.

Ryan Dumpert

Sparta