Concerns were voiced at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 board of education by the fathers of two eighth grade students at Ellsworth Junior-Senior High School regarding sexual material that was included in a book being presented in an English literature class.

“It was of a nature we were not pleased with,” said Travis Janssen.

Janssen said he called Principal Ken Windholz immediately upon learning about the book and its contents.

“I just want to start by saying my wife and I were extremely pleased with his immediate concern, viewing the material and removing it from the classroom until it could be reviewed further on,” he said.

Janssen said his son was instructed to opt out of the material as soon as he attended class the next day, but he didn’t need to. The book in question is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

Before reading a brief passage from the book, however, Janssen asked high school students at the meeting to step out of the room, because he didn’t think they should hear it. Board members agreed to Janssen’s request.

Janssen then read a passage from Page 30, which involved the description of a young man and woman engaging in foreplay before oral sex.

“I read that in hopes that you are as uncomfortable to hear it, as I was to read it,” Janssen told the board. “And to know this was material my son was exposed to in an eighth grade class, and I didn’t feel comfortable with seniors in high school hearing it.”

“It’s not appropriate material for an eighth grade class,” added Clayton Huseman, the other concerned father.

Huseman said a simple Google search would show that it is a highly controversial book.

“We could discuss the merits of the content — your views verses my views and values and so forth, but I think at the end of the day, it was a poor decision for an eighth grade class reading project,” he said.

Huseman said students reported Windholz running into the classroom, grabbing the book, reading a few pages, and removing it from the classroom.

Huseman thanked Windholz for the way he has handled the situation to date.

Huseman said he hoped the district would respond as swiftly and decisively as Windholz did.

Cynthia Edgerle, board president, thanked Janssen and Huseman for their comments.

“We want you to know we’re following our policies and procedures,” she said.

In a brief telephone interview with the Independent-Reporter Tuesday morning, Joshua Lanning, superintendent, said any type of personnel issue is confidential in nature and cannot be discussed in open session. He declined to comment further, only to say that the district’s policies and procedures are being followed by the board.

In other business: • Outgoing board members Liz

• Outgoing board members Liz Donley and Peggy Svaty were presented small Ellsworth Bearcat stone signs in honor of their years of service on the board. Donley was a board member for eight years and secretary at Kanopolis Middle School for 20 years. Svaty was a board member for 20 years.

“We appreciate all of your service,” Edgerle said.

• The 2022-26 Ellsworth County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan was approved as presented.

• Superintendent Joshua Lanning gave an update on ESSER 2 (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief ) funding, which the district will receive in the amount of $285,000. The funds will be used to fund a counselor at KMS, various social and emotional programs, the district’s Zoom license, a SEESAW communication tool at Ellsworth Elementary School, and $1,500 premium pay for the retention of classified and certified staff.

• Lanning said a possible fourth grade move to KMS is still being evaluated. He said a final decision is expected in January.

• After a series of executive sessions totaling 55 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel (employment), the board approved hiring Cody Graff and Klayton Bradford as student custodians, Laura Barta as full-time custodian, Jayme Sloan as assistant track coach, and Dan Magie as forensics coach.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 board of education will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, at the district office.