"In a 3-2 decision, the school board voted during its Dec. 18 meeting against bringing "Scythe" into Windsor Unified curriculum, with dissenting board members expressing concern that depictions of state-sanctioned killings and suicide - methods used for population control in a world that has conquered disease - would be "too triggering" for students. Per California's Education Code, school boards are given the authority to adopt new classroom instruction material as long as the material adheres to state standards."
"Written by Neal Shusterman, "Scythe," while named on more than 50 state reading lists and the winner of seven national awards, is no stranger to controversy. The book has been part of the nationwide surge in efforts since 2021 to ban or restrict books in schools. In 2024, the last year data was available, the American Library Association said more than 2,400 books nationwide were challenged in local school districts. More than 36% of challenges arose from school boards or school administrators."
A Windsor High School English teacher requested permission to teach Scythe to engage reluctant readers after winter break. The book was approved by a school site council and a governance council before submission to the school board. The Windsor Unified school board voted 3-2 on Dec. 18 against adding Scythe to the curriculum because some members said depictions of state-sanctioned killings and suicide used for population control could be too triggering for students. California law allows school boards to adopt instructional material that meets state standards. The book has faced widespread challenges nationwide and appears on many state reading lists.
Read at The Mercury News
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