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in support of free expression
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©Copyright 2005 NCAC
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Jeanne Criscola Criscola Design
free speech first amendment censorship
Harry Potter Back on Shelves in Michigan School District
May 2000
Zeeland, Michigan.
Free expression won out when school superintendent Gary Feenstra withdrew most of the restrictions he had imposed on the use of Harry Potter books. Following the advice of an advisory committee, Feenstra agreed to put the books back in the elementary and middle school libraries and to permit students to borrow them without restrictions. He also agreed to permit classroom readings of the books in the middle schools and to allow students to use them for book reports without requiring parental permission. The ban on purchase of future Harry Potter books has also been lifted. The ban on classroom readings in the elementary schools remains but students in grades K-5 may borrow them from the library and use them for book reports. Zeeland?s Muggles for Harry Potter are celebrating victory while continuing to press for no more censorship.
Background (Posted January 2000): Teachers may no longer read from Harry Potter books in elementary school classrooms following the superintendent's edict in November which also restricted library access to middle school students with parental permission. The ban on witches and wizardry extends to purchase of all future books in the series. Muggles for Harry Potter, a community group of parents, teachers and students seeking to reinstate the books is in formation. To join, click here.
Here are some people you may want to contact about this incident:
Gary L. Feenstra
Superintendent of Schools
Zeeland Public Schools
Zeeland, MI 49464
Tom Bock, President
Board of Education
Zeeland Public Schools
Zeeland, MI 49464
Send copies to members of the board at the same address: Tish Fackler, Luann DeVries, Dan Heneveld, Don Lake, Gary L. Scholten, Deb Vanden Heuvel
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