Dupage Policy Journal

Community Unit School District 200 parent Phil Mazzio was surprised at the response when he asked Superintendent Jeff Schuler if he could read a passage from a controversial book available to students at a school board meeting.

Mazzio said Schuler told him not to read the text aloud.

“I was told reading passages from 'Gender Queer' would be inappropriate. The school library can have it, but I can't read it at a school board meeting!!” Mazzio said in an email.

Schuler said he has read the book by Maia Kobabe and suggested to Mazzio that it would be inappropriate to read it aloud.

“While library resources are available to students, they are certainly not required reading for all students," Schuler said in his email to Mazzio. "Reading some passages from that text would not likely be appropriate for a public Board Meeting setting,”

The book — which includes illustrated scenes of graphic gay sex — has been the source of controversy at school board meetings across the country.

Parents have pointed to Kobabe’s work as gratuitously sexual and unnecessary for school children. Many communities, including parents at CSD99, have questioned its place in school libraries.

“I don't anticipate that all students would check that book out from the library," Schuler said in his email. "There is considerable autonomy in books students select from a library based on personal interest. I always appreciate you sharing your feedback and concerns directly with me.”

Schuler received criticism during the district’s Dec. 8 board meeting where it was reported he received a new contract worth a base salary of $269,620.80 with a 3% increase for each year over the five-year life of the agreement.