Letter to the editor: Pine-Richland's book ban sham

On March 17, the Pine-Richland School Board approved a sweeping revision to Library Policy 109.1 after 16 months of deliberation. This effort was sparked in October 2023 when a group of religious activists demanded the removal of 14 books they deemed “pornographic.”

At a December board meeting, board member Michael Weithorn dramatically read explicit passages from the novel “Push,” concluding, “I will do all in my power to remove this book and all others like this based on its vulgarity.”

Yet today, neither Weithorn nor any of the original activists have filed a formal complaint to remove “Push” — or any of the 14 targeted titles — under the new policy.

Why not? I believe it’s because they know that attempting to ban a book now, under official procedures, would trigger constitutional legal challenges they’re unlikely to win.

In my opinion, this crusade was never about protecting students; it was about theatrics, fear-mongering and imposing personal beliefs on a public institution.

The result: wasted time and taxpayer dollars, and damage to Pine-Richland’s reputation.

This book ban effort has been a sham from the start — and it’s a disgrace to our school district.

Steve Kutlenios

Pine