Litchfield teacher resigns after readings criticized

YOUR COMMENTS

Shame on the Litchfield School Board for not standing up for Ms. Reilly.

Shame on her fellow teachers for not taking a stand.

Shame on Litchfield (myself included) for allowing an ignorant woman to control its school policy.

Evil happens when good people do nothing.
- Barbara, Litchfield

Unbelievable that Ms. Reilly resigned.

Even though she may have wanted to teach at a different level or locale, surely she should have realized that her resignation NOW would LOOK as though she were ceding to the forces of anti-intellectualism!

Teachers cannot in good conscience teach works such as To Kill a Mockingbird (a work mentioned in other letters to the Editor as having been taught by her) unless they also model for their students the values embedded in those works -- in this case namely that real courage is doing the right thing, seeing it through to the end and never giving up, even when defeat seems inevitable.

For those of you who think I have never walked in her shoes, you are dead wrong. I have.
- Penny J Culliton, Temple

Thank you Sue Ann Johnson for fabricating the publicity stunt that caused Mrs. Reilly to leave CHS.

Mrs. Reilly is a fantastic teacher that brought my son out of his "shell" when he was in her class. Her influence extended far beyond her classes and into the lives of the students at CHS.

If Mrs. Reilly is reading this, please reconsider your decision and come back to Litchfield. There are not that many Sue Ann Johnson's in town (thank God!).
- Bob, Litchfield, NH

Erica, Candia - parts of the Bible are studied in Memorial HS's Creative Writing and Mythology course, a junior/senior level English class. Also writings from several other religions were explored. Who told you literature with religious themes was unacceptable?
- Kathy, Manchester

Aaron from Hooksett,

You are gravely mistaken that public school or anything public ofr that matter is "free" perhaps you would care to look at the state budget for 2010-2011 and see that it constitutes an inordinate amount of taxpayer money. Any othr homeowner her can attest to the fact that a significant part of their taxs go to what you call "free" education. That flawed assumption is just one of the facts that most kids are misled about at th left training centers we disguise as public schools. You mentioned Thomas Jefferson, unfortunately his works and thoughts are not taught anymore in our public school system. State's rights garaunteed by the tenth amendment, a tenant of Jeffrson's was voted against by nearly very democrat in NH when it was introduced as HRC 6 this year. Thomas Jefferson would puke if he saw what was being sold to the public as an education today.

Not with my tax dollars!
- Michael Layon, Derry

The American conservative is an embarrasment to the human race.

Have any of you read any of the books in question? Let me give you a little synopsis of the only one I've read, the Stephen King book: doctor finds himself stranded on a deserted island. He figures out how to get food and water for himself. One day a package of heroin washes up on the island. He starts using it. He loses the ability to catch food. Starving and hallucinating, he starts amputating body parts and eating them until there is nothing left to amputate.

Moral of the story? DON'T DO DRUGS! They will "consume" you. I thought you right-wingers were all over that message.

And why do you all assume every single teacher is a liberal?? Don't you conservative types care about teaching young people stuff? I guess not.
- Fred, Amherst

Schools are funded by taxpayer dollars.

Parents should have a say because their tax dollars run the schools.

The fact is the teacher did not follow the curriculum. Maybe if she had opened a discussion with parents and administrators this ugly outcome could have been avoided.

Important reality check: the omission of these books from the classroom does not deprive or shield a student. they are free to borrow them from a library or buy them at a bookstore.
- Dee Brown, Bedford

If books can't hurt you and a book should be the teachers choice then why am I not allowed to teach poetry from the Bible. It's morally uplifting, beautifully written, texturally rich. It's a book. It shouldn't offend others. If we are going to be "open minded", then lets just allow teachers to choose whatever they feel appropriate.
And don't give me separation of church and state as an argument, that's a comment limited to close minded folk and no liberal would dare be close minded.
No kid should go to take an elective then be faced with reading crap. There are so many wonderful books that could teach acceptance or show how bad choices can affect us. No need to dig into the cesspool of societal issues to teach a literature course. I know, I also teach. If the teacher was having so much heat put on her for her choices she could have taken a stand, admitted her choices may have not been the best for her audience, changed her reading list and taught. While the teaching arena is also very political, a good teacher can find it hard to deal in that situation. If teachers could just teach so much more could happen in the students favor. But as a teacher you are also in a civil servant role and you must serve those in your care. Better choices could have been made.
- Erica, Candia, NH

I see some people from your regional neck of the woods are still burning people at the stake.
I guess NH going from a red state to a blue state will take some time-most likely a generation.
Best of luck to the more open minded-ness
of the current generation.
- Keri B, Olympia, WA

Here we go! Parents and school boards playing double standards. Wake up and be realistic.
- Vanessa Marin, Nashua

Starting in the 5th grade and repeated in 6th, 8th, 11th and twice in univ, I was required to read a book concerning an adulterous relationship - the same book which I only read once and can still remember how much it did NOT make me want to have the same relationship. If my mother - a former English teacher - had ever called for this book to be removed she would have been laughed out of town. I am age 76 and I believe that this book is still required reading in English across the world. I know it is in Maine according to teacher cousins. Yet not every reader has become an adulterous person. It would be best if people left their political opinions at the door and judged books on the literary qualities. Or lack thereof! Having read more than 25,000 books,I still do not let my actions become those of writers or their works. For the record I had 13 years post secondary education and politically I am sure that the ultra-conservatives are far too liberal except I am against capital punishment with the possible exception of book burners and anti-gun zealots.
- J L Gillings, Prtescott AZ

Your tax dollars at work New Hampshire.
- Peteo, Dunbarton

I wish this teacher the best of luck in finding a teaching career in a better district. I wish we would have focused on stories/problems like these when I was in school.... Newsflash to opposing parents: your children that are reading "Lord of the Rings" everyday, are not learning about REALITY and issues that will need to be focused upon as they grow. You can't keep your children in the dark...
p.s.the bible was written a longgggg time ago, in a world/time that is much different than the one we live in now. WAKE UP!!!
- Joanna, Manchester, Nh

Ray in Bedford,
Sorry to say, but New Hampshire is in New England which is part of the LIBERAL NORTHEAST. You live in a blue state, deal with it. If you want some crazy religious doctrine to educate you kids and keep them sheltered from the realities of life then you can live in the south where they are all have conservative 'values' yet somehow have the worst schools, health care, and biggest welfare states.
Also people moving to NH from other states means they are paying the ridiculous property taxes to live here and pay for the school system. That being said they have just as much a right to critique the curriculum. I think it is sad that a bunch of backward parents think these books will destroy their children. The funniest part is the kids who usually end up the worst are the ones raised by overprotective conservatives who like to ban books much like what has happened here.
- Will H., Manchester

Oh great! Now she will have access to even younger aged school kids! God help us!
- Rob, Manchester

The actions of the Litchfield School Board demonstrate the superiority of local control of schools.

Johnson and Smith did not have to go to Concord to affect a change in curriculum.
- Steve, Manch

This class was not required. The teacher involved did not choose the books. I wish Sue Ann Johnson was my mom I would tell her I am old enough to learn new things and read books on differing opinions. Does she not feel confident in the morals she taught her child enough to let him/her form an opinion. What she is afraid of is that her child will find out the world is a different place than she wants it to be. Shame on you Sue Ann for not allowing your child to learn.
- Kevin, Litchfield

Education should educate in a way that teaches morally sound behaviour and principles.Let the kids decide which books they should read before being imposed to read these rags of questionable values.telling students to read these books is a BAD INFLUENCE and i wonder what her elementry school ethics will be if someone ifs foolish enough to hire her.
- scott, wa

Just a response to the Obama supporter from Rye. The Crucible is a piece of propaganda, that I don't want my kids forced to read either. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.
- Mike Hunt, Seabrook

The books in question are all fiction. This is for those of you who say that the parents are living in a fantasy world, when they object to these books being part of the curriculum. The books are fantasy. It seems some people can't separate reality from fantasy when they hold up these four pieces of trash as literature that should be taught in an English Class. I now understand why Shea-Porter and Lynch got elected.
- Jim Gordan, Manchester

I didn't realize that any book on this list were classics.
This teacher is a product of the terrible educational system that exists. She probably thinks these books are monumental works of art. I don't understand how the people making comments can say that Litchfield lost a great teacher, when the only thing she is being judged on is her terrible choice of books to make her students read. Since when do the taxpayers in a certain town not have a right to say what they want taught and what they don't?
- Joe King, Amherst

I think we can see from reading the postings, who is from New Hampshire and who moved here from leftist states. It's not enough that they have ruined the state with some of the worst officeholders, not unlike their previous home to the south, but now they are trying to disparage parents who would like to stand up for conservative values.Why am I not surprised that the bigot bomb has been dropped. All I can say is will you leftists please return to whatever hell hole you came from?
- Ray, Bedford

For those that insist because I disapprove of the readings that I am sticking my head in the sand, or a bigot, did you read these books? I read portions of them. While the topics, in my opionion, are fine and cutting edge for our youth, the presentation was not. The language was outright vulgar. I would expect educated individuals to speak using words that contain more than three or four letters.
- DM, Manchester

Mike from Weare you nailed it.Teach don't force your liberal agenda on our youth.
- Tim, Boscawen

All liberal progessives know the way to push their minority agenda is through childen, students! WHO would be screaming the loudest if a teacher where recommending religous books!!!!
- Paul Gagnon, Manchester N,H,

To all of you criticizing this woman's choices, I think you all live in a fantasy world. We cannot shelter children from real life. These things happen in the world and if we don't make children aware of them they could become victims as much as the characters in the stories. It is parents job as well to teach their children about these subjects and if because many parents are not willing to discuss them, it is left up to the schools to do so. It is up to the school board to question her tact and though the parents voice should be heard, they should not be the ultimate say. Public school is free for all, if parents don't like what public schools teach, they have the right to send them to a private school. That is a provision our country takes. I will be teaching social studies in high school this year and I will certainly not shelter my students. If the subject matter of these stories was not appropriate for high schoolers than it must not be appropriate for adults. Kids have to grow up fast nowadays and creating kids who can think for themselves before we throw them out into the real world is so important. Though I am not sure about the particulars of the stories, I do not find the subject matter to be inappropriate. We must show kids the dangers of drugs, that we must have tolerance for people of all ethnicities, sexes, and sexualities, we much teach the rawness of humanity and the importance of looking at different viewpoints and evaluating all opinions before creating our own. Sorry parents but your children are not to become perfect copies of your own values and ideas and that is why the public schools exist in the first place. Thank you Thomas Jefferson.
- Aaron, Hooksett

Q: How do parents and/or educators decide/choose what should be the content of an educational curriculum?
A: _____ (?)

Q: If parents as voters had a chance to vote on what should be the content of an educational curriculum—would that/would that not be the better/best way to determine the content of an educational curriculum?
A: _____ (?)

Q: Should choices and their consequences inre moral issues be taught at school or at home?
A: _____ (?)

Q: If not at home, then where—at school, in class, or on the schoolyard, by other students?
A: _____ (?)
- Bob Kroepel, New Durham, NH

The topics in the books are certainly hot topics and often discussed with significant politcal bias. Ms Reilly, in a position of influence as the english cirriculum advisor, should have considered selecting questionable reading material might generate different repsonses some of them quite inflamed. Abortion might be discussed in the book, but how will a classroom "discussion" be held nonbiased? If Ms Reilly is a flaming liberal as I suspect, she would likely impart her own views without differentiating them from fact. She stated that kids "wont form their own opinions" suggesting she WILL guide the discussion and taint it with HER views. I am sure that all the comments are spot on that she is a very nice and likable person, but her job is to teach.

Our president is a really likable, nice guy with a great family. That is independent from the fact that he is taking actions to further destroy our reconomy and take away our liberites on the way to socialism. Questionable material like Catcher in The Rye, written by a NH resident was discussed by a group and selected to be part of the english cirriculum. Ms Reilly acted independently, suggesting she thought she knew better than any prespecified cirriculum.

Would anyone find it objectionable if instead she decided to have her students read and compare barack obama and adolf hitler's books?

Neither comment on Dr Seuss gave him credit as being educated right here in NH at Dartmouth. NH has a history of being first in the nation. Lets not support being first in losing focus on the basics of education. Kids will learn all about these hot topics independent of Ms Reilly. I loathe to think what she will propose for elementary kids under her care.
- Michael Layon, Derry

Let's have the "Monkey Trial" right here in good 'ole NH! Or maybe a good 'ole fashion Book Burning! A small minority of narrow minded and bigoted parents have shown their children how social justice really works in small minded America...
Sad, truely sad...
- Paul, Manchester

It is really too bad that a woman who is clearly a thoughtul, quality teacher was railroaded out because of some reading choices. They're books, people. They can't hurt you. And I'll bet your high school student is seeing worse things in your own home on cable, on DVD's, at his friend's houses, in magazines, and at the movie theater. I'll bet some of these people that are on their high horses who have children who are praticing homosexuality. I'll bet some have drug addicts living under their roofs, and don't even know it. Heroin and crack are in our high schools, too. It's not a political agenda to discuss these topics. They're not sensitive issues that teens wouldn't otherwise hear about. These are real issues kids face every day. Thank god there are still teachers out there who are willing to deal with them, even in an era where parents still want to bury their heads in the sand and believe that the only messages their kids get are from them.
- Katherine, Manchester

Life will go on and there will be next to no effect on the performance of students.

So long teach.
- John II, Mancheste

If a school administration does not support and appreciate their teacher then the teacher is justified to go to a place where they will receive that kind of support. However, a teacher may also decide to choose the battle they wish to fight and remain. Either decision is an appropriate personal choice.

Greg Barrett
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

I never thought I would see the day when a highly qualified, kind hearted, hard working teacher is deliberately forced out of the educational system. . As a future secondary educator, Kathleen Reilly was and is still inspiration to me and countless others. She was one hell of a teacher!
- Joshua, Litchfield

Good for Kathleen for trying to teach something that ACTUALLY applies to the real world. Those may be tough subjects but all 16 years no matter how innocent have been exposed by that age. One can only hope that a parent has done their job by teaching them right from wrong. However, it seems that more and more parens expect their children to be raised by the schools.

Today's teachers are often having to break out of what the district & state curriculum in order to actually teach students something they can use later in life.

All you parents out there...take one of your vacation days and go into your childs school and volunteer for an entire day. I guarentee you'll have a new perspective by the end of the day.
- Sue, Bedford

Good for the parents in Litchfield! They took a stand and demanded accountability from the people who work for them.

I am sure there are plenty of school districts in New York City or L.A. that would love a teacher who wants to promote homosexuality and drug use. Not here in New Hampshire. Good to see people with morals and guts that still have the courage to direct their children's education.

And for all the kids whining about this decision ... when you grow up and pay taxes like your parents then you can have a say in the matter.
- David, Bedford

"In essence ,our children would be better served with Dr. Suess"
Mr. Simpson
Your response gives the impression that you are knowledable in the area of literature and what is deserving of merit. If that is the case, you should probably start with how to spell the good doctor's name...it's Dr SEUSS. It's a common error, often made by the uninformed in the area of children's literature.
- Kelly A, New Boston, NH

Fact...Mrs Reilly did not select the books (that person is still at CHS). For all of you celebrating the departure of this outstanding educator- oops, you got the wrong one!
- George, Nashua

Yes, She was a good teacher, but her choices are not. All but one of my five children has had her as a teacher when we lived in Litchfield. they have all commented on some of her choices. We have complained and alternatives were given, but some were just as bad and they were graded lower. These student are children, not adults. these books are Pornographic and too mature for what they need in their heads. She made a good choice. It's about time.
- Toni Carroll, Nashua

Not only did Litchfield lose an excellent teacher with integrity - they allowed puritanical practices that have done nothing but damage societies since the beginning of time. I liken this to the ignorance of the Taliban who took all privelages away to the people of Afghanitstan. What's next - no more girls in school? Talk about ignorance. I bet the parents who staged this coup don't even understand the writings of Sedaris and Hemingway. I wonder what they would think if they got into the depths of Poe, Dickinson or Hardy - the classics. These were writers of life just as Sedaris and Hemingway are - along with the other authors.
Savanarola, Castro, Stalin, McCarthy - they took away the books, the culture, the knowledge.
Here's a book I recommend for the Parent Coup to read - a nice french translation that talks about what happened to children in China when you took their books away "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress". Better read it now before they take it off the shelf!
- corey d., manchester, nh

Wow, crazy me. When I was in high school I learned not to do drugs, get knocked up, speed crazily in cars, and get myself into bad situations because the characters in books did that for me. They made mistakes. They and the people around them lived with the consequences. They learned about themselves as I, a geeky teen, was working on that myself. I had read Steven King and, aghast, Hills Like White Elephants when I was a senior in high school... almost 20 years ago. I'm glad my high school never thought to ban those stories and this situation makes me worry about my daughter's education. Keep the Cornerstone Policy Research and other religious organizations out of the schools. Litchfield administration, please grow a spine. It is sad that this teacher resigned and other teachers will be afraid to have students read challenging material. This nonsense will be the demise of our culture- not the "questionable material" in an elective, upper-level English class.
- Tracy, Concord

Well, would it really be a problem if parents were allowed to have permission to choose a school for their children? Many parents cannot afford to pay for a private school; yet, it would save the taxpayers a lot of money to trust parents instead of politicians to decide what is the best school for our children, no?
- Eric Thoman, Manchester, NH

My son attends this school and he is conservative and outspoken. He is very disappointed that LHS lost an excellent teacher. He doesn't agree with a lot of the authors viewpoints but he appreciated the dialog and enriching discussion that this teacher fostered. Shame on the parents who choose to believe that their high school students cannot analyze,rationalize and formulate their own opinions. Character is built on understanding opposing viewpoints and deciding to accept or challenge their influence on our society. Young adults need these very discussions with their peers in a controlled environment. Have faith in our youths.
- James McKenney, Litchfield

To me, the point that everyone is missing is that this was an elective course - not required for any student - and that a small group of parents have decided for everyone else what course materials are acceptable. Couldn't they have just kept their own children out of the class rather than force all of the students to follow their agenda?
- catmom, chester

I live in Litchfield, and the past week has been a nightmare. My daughter is a 2008 graduate of Campbell High School, and my son just finished the 10th grade there. My daughter had Mrs. Reilly for English her freshman year, was in drama with Mrs. Reilly, and then was her student helper her senior year. My son just finished his second year with Mrs. Reilly. Both have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with this exceptional woman. I had hoped my youngest son, who will start Campbell this fall, would be able to have Mrs. Reilly as a teacher. Now he won't, and I am very dissapointed for him. This is a horrendous loss for Campbell High. Mrs. Johnson should wake up and get her head out of the sand. How dare her to get a lynch mob together to go after this teacher! What was supposed to be happening in this class were discussions of these stories and the subject matter. The moral of these stories would be certainly be that actions have consequences and to think about what you do in your life. No one was trying to get students to become gay, use drugs or alcohol, or have sex. These are all things that happen in real life all the time. Imagine what her son will experience when he goes out into the real world! What a shock real life will be for him! The principal and superintendant both tried to get Mrs. Reilly to reconsider, as did others. She had considered leaving prior to any of this. This was just the straw that broke the camel's back. I don't know why anyone would want to teach in our town now with parents and administration second-guessing their teaching methods. How dare state representative Gandia to get involved in something she has no business getting involved in. The only child she has going to school in this town is a child at Griffin Memorial School, the elementary school, not Campbell High. I think she is way out of line in this matter. She is my state representative, too, and at this point, doesn't represent me. She is not doing anything that will benefit this town. How dare her to think that she can't throw her weight around just because she is a state representative!
- Kathryn DiCola, Litchfield

I know if you dont teach the kids about a topic, someone will and you will have no control about how they are taught
- Charlie, Manchester

Those looking for a "moral boogie man" will immediately attack anyone objecting to the books as prudes or worse, as conservatives, but the issue is not really that.

On literary merit, everyone of these choices was suspect. They are one dimensional, predictable, banal and rambling.

On content, they were propaganda, plainly and simply. Their literary merit, what exists, is obscurred by the simplicity of narrative, rendering them a good read if you have no other options. Making them the focus of a class is silly.

In essence, our students would be better served with Dr. Suess. The teacher is correct to resign as obviously her knowledge of writing barely exceeds the content of Mad magazine. Our kids deserve better.
- William Simpson, Concord

parent Sue Ann Johnson has said the stories promoted bad behavior and a "political agenda," and they shouldn't be incorporated into classroom teachings. Well Sue, if the stories promote bad behavior. Then I guess your children are very gullible and believe anything they are told and your are a lousy parent for not telling them the difference between the good and bad behavior. As far as a political agenda goes. Your the one with the political agenda by attempting to hold hostage the majority of the many in favor of the few imposing your hypocritical morale values. Your views are the one that shouldn't be incorporated into classroom teachings. If you don't like the way your kids are taught at the public school system. Then keep them home along with your intrusive beliefs.
- brian, litchfield

Most of these comments miss the point. I haven't read these books, so I don't know what's in them. But that doesn't matter. What does matter is that parents do not approve of the curriculum. That is sufficient cause to remove the material.

I never hear people getting worked up over idiotic education mandates from a group of buffoons in Concord, but heaven help us if the actual parents want to have a say in the classroom material! What a nightmare.

People complaining about this are probably the same ones lamenting the lack of "parental involvement" in education. They seek parental involvement only when it serves as a tool to further the agenda of the entrenched powers. Parents with their own vision and ideas are NOT welcome!

Maybe they're overreacting, maybe they're not. But these are the parents of these children (yes, they're children until they're 18, and many act like children well beyond that age)

Frankly, I'd rather see "two dozen parents and a political action group" running a school district than the usual cabal of special interests that typically run a school district. Parents have a legitimate stake in how the district is run.
- Jim Peschke, Croydon, NH

well lets see kids cant learn about sex and drugs and violence in books at school and if there parents dont want that type of reading at school then they wont have it at home.Great job parents put on your blinders and tell yourself that the world is a wonderful place,and let your kids learn that stuff on the streets with no supervision. shame on you.
- Rick, Bradford

Was the resignation Reilly's idea or was it something strongly suggested by the district? I find nothing wrong with the readings Reilly wanted to expose her classes to. To shelter these kids from the reality of the world we live in is a shame. She was merely using the readings to ehance their perspectives of the world and encourage thought provoking class discussions. I would have loved my children to be in Reilly's class.
- Charlie, Manchester

Homosexuality, cannibalism, drug use, sure! All should be perfectly acceptable for teenagers to be instructed about on our tax dollars - in Massachusetts, not here. We're better than Massachusetts and better than that. I hope her career is finished.
- Bob Pickett, New Castle

Litchfield has lost a dedicated teacher, respected by her students. Its a shame the administration does not support their teachers and crumble quickly under pressure. Maybe the superintendent and principal should have resigned as they are ultimately responsible. Forget the school board !
- Bob, Litchfield

She was not a good teacher. Good teachers teach by curriculum standards and state standars, not their own agenda. My guess is that she was asked to resign but the district wants to save face so they told her either resign with good standing or get fired and have a blemish on your record.These schools do this all the time.

To everyone who keeps saying that these kids are adults and should be allowed to do and read anything they want should go ahead a try passing laws that indicate this. If these kids are adults then lower the voting age. Lower the drinking age. Let them quit school at an earlier age.

For those who do not think kids read enough, and as long as they are reading a book, does not matter what kind, then lower the age that is required to buy porn, so kids (adults) can read whatever they want.

For those who complained that these parents who had a problem with this should stay out of the public school and let the teachers teach these kids (adults) whatever they want are also, I am sure, the one who complain that parents do not get involved with their children. It is alway the same with parents.Damned if we do get involved, damned if we do not.

I am tired of these schools raising my child to their standards and when I disagree with them they get the support of the public like you, who stand behind the schools and continue to say "let the school teach kids what they want". It is the reason that the public school system is failing. It is because of no accountablilty because the taxpayers stand by teachers like this. The taxpayers seem to want babysitters in these schools rather than educators. The schools boards know this, and will comply with the majority rather than the few parents who would like to raise their own kids and have the school just educate.

The public school system is becoming less and less about education and this is why, because the taxpayer does not care about quality education.

BTW, this also gives good teachers less credit. There are teachers who teach standards and curriculum and respect parental communication and involvement and they are grouped in with horrible teachers like this.
- k, hillsboro

What's wrong with our adults? Have they forgotten what "questionable" books they were required to read.
Catcher in the Rye and Lord of the Flies were quite controversial in their day. Both of these books has thinly vieled homoerotic content and talked openly of male masturbation. And yet those of us who have read them have turned out for the most part, ok.
Perhaps, the parents are afraid that these questionable books that were required reading in Litchfield would open up discussions in their home that they are not grown up enough to handle? Discussions about drug abuse and sexuality are things that need to be discussed with teens. If parents don't have these conversations in the home, then the teens will have the conversations elsewhere.
Open your minds and your hearts parents!
I did and am the proud parent of 25 year old daughter who graduted college with honors and supports hereslf as a productive member of society.
- Dan, Francestown

I applaude the parents. Be vigilant. They are your children.
- Ann Theresa, Portland, Ct

A generation ago, it was books like Diary of A Young Girl (by Anne Frank), Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, and the Judy Blume books that were being banned in schools by ignorant parents. Allow the educators to educate, and as parents you must instill your values so that your children can read and understand different voices, and still speak their own.

Ms. Reilly, thank you for trying to broaden the horizons of your students. They will be better people for it. I wish that my kids had the opportunity to have you for a teacher. Good luck in your future career choices. Perhaps your next school will better appreciate your vision.
- Kathy, Manchester

While there may be some merit to reading a couple of the books involved one must look at whether anyone at all needs to read a book that has graphic detail on oral sex performed on a male. Maybe the media should have reported this major detail. I'm a male adult and I would be repulsed by it, why would I want my son or daughter to read it.
- Bill, Dunbarton

They ought to start off next year's curriculum with "Fahrenheit 451" and then head right into "1984".
- SRW, Bradford

a good teacher? more like a liberal freak with an agenda! keep this crap out of the schools. and if you're a parent who condones this, do your children a favor and put them up for adoption!
- fpc, manchester

We are a chnaging society, and what is being taught is part of the changing time. If parents are so concerned then why dont we see more involvement from them.

Robert, Manchester

Not all change is good Robert as history will show social engineering led to the downfall of many a once great society.

As for not seeing parents getting involved I think you just witnessed it take place but don't seem to like it. What you might have meant was parents getting involved teaching your view to their children in an age where traditional values that worked for a thousand years get scrapped for fantacy. Society can hold on to what works while still moving forward. All that is needed are good leaders rather than radicals from either side.
- Deb, Derry

If books are here to help open the minds of people, why would a book about the devastating results of crack use offend anyone? There is nothing in the book that encourages or promotes drug use. Why are these parents afraid? Are they under the misconception that their child is not exposed to any of those issues.
I fully support teaching tolerance and acceptance.
Parents could really use the opportunity to teach (and parent) their child. Discuss the books with your child - maybe read the books. Don't think that your child is innocent when it comes to these topics. You (the parent) are not the biggest influence in your high school child's life - nor are the teachers.
Unless you are with your child during lunch and between classes, after school, before school - and unless you take the time to really talk to your child, you have no idea what they are being exposed to by their peers and on the internet.
Don't shelter your students - prepare them for what they will be exposed to after they leave your nest -
- Bob, Florida

What's sad is that we now have a society that always thinks teachers have agendas. Could we maybe take this women at her word and explanation for choosing the books. I agree that maybe there should have been parent involvement but it looks like Litchfield lost a teacher that challenged her students to use what's between their ears instead of keeping it closed.
- MF, Manchester, NH

Wea ae concerned the material being taught was wrong.
Well if they dont learn it in an orginized setting such as school, then parents should be concerned about what is on the internet, and on TV.
We are a chnaging society, and what is being taught is part of the changing time. If parents are so concerned then why dont we see more involvement from them.

I think High School students are so close to being in the real world, thay already know what some of the issues are concerning these topics.
NH is so behind when it comes to the modern world. We need to open our eyes and then open the books as well. Cudo's to the teacher for trying to teach and raspberries to Litchfield for trying to keep a bubble over our youth.
The town dropped the ball and let a good teacher go, If you don't want her than send her to Manchester, we need some decent teachers that are not afraid to teach.
- Robert, Manchester

Great message to students- if you don't get your way, just quit. No matter how much good has been done by drama, being the head of the english department, etc., it all ends by quitting. And we wonder why this generation does not respect authority? It is because of poor examples like this teacher who quit on her students.
- Kirk, Goffstown, NH

Gail, just because a high schooler is approaching the age of majority does not mean they're adults in any sense of the word (other than legally).

The fact is they're NOT adults and parents should have the final say when it comes to their schooling. Period.

Plus, students can still be exposed to good contemporary literature without being exposed to the garbage this teacher had on the curriculum. Besides, if they want to explore some of that reading on their own, then that's up to them and their parents. Stephen King and David Sedaris have no place on a high school syllabus. Period.

This country's schools aren't failing because of parents. They're failing because the parents are continually left out of the decision making process by "teachers" who think they know to parent these people's children.
- William Smith, Manchester, NH

Shame on those Administrators for allowing that to happen and not standing up for their teachers and the curriculum.
- Dave, Merrimack

Why am I not suprised that a few parents jumped on the bandwagon of ignorance. To educate . interest and expose todays youth is a challenge and we as parents should be grateful for those teachers who do.
- Cheryl Downing, concord

What a surprise! Kevin Smith and Sue Ann Johnson did everything but burn this woman at the stake. Two dozen parents and a political action group are running Litchfield's school system. Who would want to teach in such a place? All the best for success to Ms. Reilly in her next job. Here's hoping you find a community where parents have open minds and the school board has the guts to tell Christian conservative action groups to buzz off.
- Skip M, Ossipee

Its about time, we have finally opened our eyes. Just because you are a school teacher and have a vunerable group of kids hanging on your every word does not give you the right to impose your stance on such political issues as abortion and anything else for that matter. Teachers are teachers, NOT parents to their students. TEACH, DONT PREACH.
- Mike, Weare

I hope she doesn't come to the Manchester School district and bring these reading materials. I read from these books. The language was crass and vulgar at best, not suitable reading material for youth.
- DM, Manchester

People have to realize that this news report is about High School students and they are practically adults. In most cases they have already made up their minds on who they are, what they like and what these young adults could care less about. From what I understand and have heard about parents, and kids in school these days, it would do them good to crack open a book and read instead of going out and getting drugged up, pregnant, and getting into trouble. What's next, are the parents going to follow the student to college and tell faculty at the college of what books the student should be learning and not learning from. Smooth move parents. No wonder why this country is failing, it really is the parent's fault. At least the uneducated and paranoid types anyway.
- Gail Lynch, Manchester

Sounds to me like Litchfield has lost a very good teacher and the students are the real losers here.
- Bill, Deering

What is wrong with people? These kids are 16 year olds, they aren't babies. Why not take the opportunity to discuss the issues these books raise rather than working to get them removed from the curriculum. Of all the things to be outraged about in this world, books really shouldn't be one of them.
- Chris, Manchester

Litchfield administrators evidently did not have the courage to stand by their English Department Head, allowing her to be coerced into resigning. The parental narrow view won by intimidation and the unwillingness of administrators to stand firm.
Should the short stories have been included in the curricula? Do they represent the types of literature that the Litchfield community wants in its high school English curricular? Maybe. Maybe not. The point here is that the issues that are now set to be discussed by a panel of parents and educators should have been formulated for review by such a panel before offering the former English Department Head as a sacrifice to a situation badly handled by the principal and the superintendent. Litchfield, NH. Salem, MA. Perhaps a closer reading of Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE should be included more prominently in the curricula.
- John Parkhurst, Rye