Graphic novel causes uproar | News, Sports, Jobs – Altoona Mirror
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Some Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School parents have expressed their concerns about a graphic novel, “Gender Queer,” appearing on a teacher’s desk.
The teacher faces unspecified corrective action, according to Superintendent Robert Gildea.
“Gender Queer” is about self-identity, coming out to family and society and bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction.
One of those parents, a mother who wished to remain anonymous, said her son last Thursday informed her his teacher had been bringing the book to school and had it on her desk since the beginning of September.
“He told me that his teacher did not read the book to them, but would read it to herself while they would do course work,” the mother said.
Her son said other students in his class are aware of the book as well but was not sure if anyone in the class had seen the drawings in the book.
“He said the teacher would have the book open flat on her desk. He couldn’t see the pictures, but if he stood up, he could,” the mother said.
After hearing this, she called the junior high principal, Kenneth Krott, to inform him of the book her son saw on his teacher’s desk and her concerns because of the sexually graphic depictions in it.
Krott investigated and found the teacher did have the book on her desk.
The mother also sent Gildea, other members of administration and the school board a letter to make sure they were aware of the situation.
The mother received a response from Gildea that confirmed again the teacher had been bringing the book to school since September and was told to not bring it anymore.
He also sent out a letter to parents of the junior high students to address the situation regarding the book “Gender Queer.”
Gildea said in the letter the book was in the possession of a teacher and visible on her desk.
This was brought to the school administration’s attention when a parent notified them of the book the teacher had.
Gildea said via phone interview that he has received both calls and emails from parents expressing their concerns on all sides of the issue.
He confirmed this was the same teacher who had an incident earlier in the school year in which she asked her students to declare their preferred pronouns.
Another mother said in a Facebook post, that her 12-year-old daughter was asked by the teacher to declare her pronouns.
That parent sent an email to the superintendent expressing that she found it unacceptable and that under no circumstance was any employee in the district given permission to discuss sexual orientation or gender identity with the students.
In her post, it states the teacher was told it was not acceptable and to not ask students their pronouns.
The post continued that she was concerned that a majority of the students could have searched for the book and viewed it online after seeing it displayed on her desk.
Additional corrective action is being considered, but Gildea said he is unable to share what that will be at this time.
Gildea expressed his opinion in the letter that the book was disturbing and not appropriate for children of any age.
He assured parents that the book has never been part of the district’s curriculum and is not a part of the library’s collection.
According to Gildea, the teacher was participating in a book study where the theme was banned books.
“There is no evidence that the book was shared with the students,” he said.
When the mother contacted the Pennsylvania State Police, they verified that her son and other students saw the book, but no one knows if any of them have seen the pictures in the book.
If any of the students would have seen the pictures, then it would be a very serious situation, the officer told her.
Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith can be reached at 814-946-7535.