Debates are arising at North Kingstown School Committee meetings over the education curriculum with highly controversial topics. Such topics range from Critical Race Theory to books containing content deemed inappropriate by some being offered in the library or read in some classes. 

The meetings that had previously been responsible for putting spectators to sleep, has since become the tense grounds for explosive arguments where emotions run high. Many expressed their concerns in the extensive Citizen’s Comments portion of the meeting.

A central topic of discussion was the graphic novel, Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe that is offered in the media center at the High School. The inclusion of sexual scenes is felt by some to be inappropriate for the high school students. Commenter Suzanne Tingley stated, “This sexualized, raceulized curriculum desensitizes the children to pornography and sexual topics.” Tingley went on to compare this to the act of grooming, a manipulation tactic used on children by an adult with the objective of sexual abuse. 

Many of those voicing opinions similar to Tingley’s belong to an organization called Parents Against Indoctrination, whose stated goal is to prevent the “woke indoctrination” and “Marxist propaganda” they feel is infiltrating schools around the country. 

However, others pushed back against those opinions and felt the removal of this book from the school would be an overreach of the school’s power. Commenter Will Valverde said “Educators should not be in the business of banning books.”

Other controversial subjects such as the immersion of Critical Race Theory in school curriculum and mask requirements were also brought up. Addressing all these issues, Ramona Bessinger said, “we have had it with all the anti-American sentiment.”

Members of the committee ended the public comment portion of the meeting by sharing their thoughts on the topics. Superintendent, Dr. Phil Auger, expressed that he believes Gender queer is a “valuable resource” he “[does] not consider the book to be pornographic” to the dismay of many in the crowd.  

 These arguments will likely continue on in future meetings and is something to keep an eye on.