Written by: Jim Brumbach
Tim Sweeney and D7 School Board:
My name is Jim Brumbach and I need to start by saying that whereas I live in Josephine
County, I am not within District 7. Nevertheless, I recognize that D7 has an important impact
upon all of Josephine County, and therefore want to share my viewpoint.
I want to encourage the District 7 school board to move forward in improving the policy
regarding books and materials offered in the D7 library, school curriculum and related
matters. I would like to see the new policy have a stronger moral base. I don’t think the
present policy is restrictive enough. From what I’ve seen of the proposed revision, I like the
direction in which you are heading.
The youth of today are being overwhelmed, primarily through, but not limited to, the
internet, with sexual and moral content that is prurient and unhealthy. Public education
can, and should be, a relatively safe place where students can study and experience a broad
range of ideas that are stimulating and educational but not misleading or destructive.
Some might say that since students are exposed to this material from other sources outside
the school, what good does it do for the school to withhold those materials? But that would
be like saying, “Since students will be exposed to all manner of poisons and diseases in
society, why shouldn’t these poisons and diseases be offered at the school cafeteria?”
To my way of thinking, D7 curriculum and school materials, and books and all that is in the
library, carry the approval of, and make a statement about who D7 is and what it is about.
The policy you are creating should have this in mind. The statement should also reflect the
general thinking of the Grants Pass community which is, of course, somewhat diverse, and
yet generally conservative.
I think the school board is engaging in a valuable exercise in improving the policy regarding
books and materials in the D7 library, curriculum and related matters. I realize that coming
up with an improved policy is a difficult task and there will be a certain amount of
resistance, partly because some people will see this as a right wing, “ban bad books” effort,
whereas in reality, I think the school board is wanting to construct a policy that will be
healthy educationally, and beneficial for our youth and the community at large. As I
mentioned above, I like what I see in the proposed revision.
Thank you for all you do.
Jim Brumbach
541 479 4999—revjim007@gmail.com