Merrill School Board Upholds "Montana 1948" for Use in Curriculum

And they vote, unanimously, to keep it in the school library as well.

'Montana 1948' to stay in Merrill High School. (Wausau Daily Herald, 9/30/2011)

Excerpt: The book "Montana 1948" will stay in Merrill High School's library and will continue to be taught as part of the school's 10th-grade English classes.

The book's fate was determined at a public hearing held Thursday night in the Merrill High School auditorium, following a request by a group of parents that the critically acclaimed book be banned from the district's curriculum and libraries on the grounds that it includes mature themes of rape, sex and obscene language.

The majority of School Board members believe the book has educational value for high school students. They took two votes on the matter. They unanimously voted to keep the book in the high school's library. And they voted 6-2 to keep the book as part of the curriculum, with board members Loretta Baughan and Brad Geiss opposing the book's use in classes.

Parts of the book can be shocking and offensive when taken out of context, "but after reading the book, I found it to be very thought-provoking," said School Board member Meredith Prebeg. "If you don't want to read the book, there's an option to do that."

Related articles:
Public hearing on banning 'Montana 1948' set. (9/26/2011)
Merrill parents protest sex-ed changes.  (NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, 8/8/2010)