Candidates for Palatine Township District 15 school board have shared their views on book bans, parental rights, and the importance of offering students a diverse range of reading materials.
The candidates, who are running for four available 4-year terms in the upcoming April 1 election, include newcomer Eric Bachmann and incumbents Frank Annerino, Lisa Beth Szczupaj, James Taylor, and Anthony Wang.
Wang expressed his opposition to book banning, emphasizing that it restricts freedom of speech and expression. “Education should promote freedom, critical thinking, diversity, and empathy, and our school libraries should reflect that,” he said. He also noted that parents have the ability to opt-out of books they don’t want their children to read, and he trusts library staff to make appropriate book selections for students.
Taylor argued that parents have the right to determine what their children should or should not read. However, he added that this decision should be limited to the individual child, not other students. “A parent has the right to decide what their child should and shouldn’t read,” Taylor said. “But I think it should be up to the parent to limit that.” He also stated that the issue of book banning has become overly politicized.
Szczupaj, who recalls spending hours in her local public library as a child, said she disagrees with book banning. “Every child is different, every parent’s perspective is different,” she explained. “It’s really up to the parent and the child together to determine what is acceptable reading material.” Szczupaj also highlighted the efforts of district staff in choosing age-appropriate and relevant books for students.
Annerino expressed concern that the term “book banning” is being used to create fear. He clarified that the goal is to ensure children have access to age-appropriate material, similar to how movies are rated for different age groups. He also advocated for transparency, calling for parents and the community to have access to library catalogs so they can review the materials. If there are objections, Annerino emphasized that a process exists for addressing concerns.
Bachmann, who enjoys visiting the public library with his family, said that the idea of book banning makes him upset. “To just take something out so that other kids don’t have the chance to read it — is unfair,” he said. He suggested that parents who have concerns about specific books could be provided with alternative reading options.
The candidates’ responses reflect a shared belief in the importance of parental involvement in children’s education while also supporting the need for diverse and age-appropriate materials in school libraries.
