Published: February 05, 2009 12:33 pm      

Book stirs controversy at CHS

Members of the community supporting and opposing the Ken Follett book “Pillars of the Earth” will have an opportunity to voice their opinions in a public forum portion of the board meeting beginning at about 5:45 p.m. Monday in the administration building board room.

The Follett book has been part of the Cleburne High English department senior reading list since about 1996.

After objections over the book’s sex scenes from at least one community member, “Pillars of the Earth” was removed from the reading list by Superintendent Dr. Ronny Beard.

Cleburne High Principal Monte Pritchett referred all questions about the book to district spokesperson Lisa Magers, who released a statement from Beard that said, “The district is researching the issue. We will follow what board policy dictates in determining what action we need to take.”

CHS English department chairman Sherri Bell did not return a Thursday phone call seeking comment.

Bell confirmed, through Magers, that she was the author of a Nov. 24, 2002, letter on the Ken Follett Web site.

It read in part: “As soon as ‘Pillars’ came out in paperback many years ago, I began to offer it as a reading choice for my seniors. Though I had a few parents who were more than ready to have my teaching certificate confiscated for offering a book with sex, violence, and language, I have never regretted my decision to offer the book as a senior reading option.”

Board president Stu Madison, who publicly supports the book, said Thursday that Beard removed the book from Bell’s curriculum.

“My understanding is he is legally within his rights to do that,” Madison said. “He did not ban the book.”

Madison confirmed himself to be the author of a statement posted on the facebook.com page of his son, Texas A&M student Cannon Madison.

That statement read:

“My name is Stu Madison, and I am president of the Cleburne school board. Cannon has been kind enough to allow me to post here using his account.

“I’ve read ‘Pillars of the Earth,’ support this book, and asked Sherri to inform you all so that those who wish to speak can put their side of the story in front of those who would listen.

“Understand that this was not my decision, or the board’s decision. This was the superintendent’s decision. The board hires a superintendent to run the school system, sets the budget and tax rate, sets board policies, and will get involved in the superintendent’s decisions only where legal and clearly necessary.

“I am but one vote. If the superintendent and board are going to be convinced that the ‘Pillar’s’ path is a righteous path, they are going to need to know that the majority believe in this novel, and hear clear reasons why the work is greater than the few objectionable pages.

“Here is my viewpoint. A number of great literary works have been challenged for similarly objectionable material.

“‘Of Mice and Men’

“‘Catcher in the Rye’

“‘Lord of the Flies’

“‘Grapes of Wrath’

“‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

“They all, in my opinion, teach the same fundamental truth that ‘Pillars’ teaches, and ‘World Without End’ teaches. The people, especially young adults, need to experience and understand evil without losing faith in the human capacity for goodness.

“If you are all serious about making a difference, then get involved. Three students will sign up to speak at Monday’s meeting at 5:45 p.m. If former students/parents show up and wish to speak, sign up, and I will ask the board to allow some of those as well. The rest of you need to send letters to the board and the superintendent, today. 505 North Ridgeway, Cleburne, Texas 76033. The more letters, the more powerful the message. Have your parents send letters. Have your teachers send letters. Have your pastors send letters. Attend the meeting on Monday at 6 to show support to those who need it.

“Can the will of an educated majority overcome the will of a minority who claim that they are the only ones on God’s side? We are about to find out.

“Good luck, God bless and go Jackets.

“Stu Madison”

Madison said he does not anticipate the Follett book being an agenda item at Monday’s meeting.

“I could have it put on the agenda,” he said, “but I don’t think my role is to do that just because I support the book.”

The book has value to high school senior readers, Madison said, because “It’s good book and advocates Christian beliefs. My son is one of finest Christians I know. The book encouraged him to be a better man because of the fundamental lesson of the book, that there is evil in this world, and we have to experience it without losing our faith in God or losing faith in human capacity for goodness.”

Madison said he doesn’t intend to try to convince Beard to reverse his position on the book.

“It’s his decision. I encourage both sides to come and speak, which I think is the fair thing to do. It’s up to the community to change his mind or not change his mind.”

Madison said he has received a number of e-mails disagreeing with his stance since the facebook.com post appeared.

“I’ve gotten hostile e-mails telling me I talk out of both sides of my mouth and that I lack integrity,” he said. “I could not be more disappointed that some feel I should be punished for exercising my own right to speak.”

None of those dissenting e-mails came from Beard, Madison said.

“Dr. Beard and I have always been very respectful of each other’s roles. I’m advocating that people come and speak their minds. It’s not my role to change his mind.”