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Date Posted: 18:47:51 02/05/02 Tue
Author: Matt(Webmaster)
Subject: Potter, good or bad? Board will hear arguments again

"Potter, good or bad? Board will hear arguments again"

Lapeer - Harry Potter will take center stage Thursday as the Lapeer Board of Education considers using the popular books as an eighth-grade supplemental reading selection.

The discussion promises to be the third straight meeting during which opponents of the Harry Potter craze will ask board members to scrap plans to offer the book to students.

The 7 p.m. meeting will be at Mayfield Elementary School, 302 Plum Creek Road, Mayfield Township.

Opponents also met privately with Superintendent Ron Caniff for two hours in January to express their arguments for not buying the books.

On Jan. 3, about eight district residents appealed to the board not to allow the books to be used for the class. No action was taken that night, but the books were introduced for discussion and a vote at the Thursday meeting.

About 90 opponents of the books showed up for a special board meeting Jan. 24 called to discuss the work of a Strategic Planning Committee and its future plan for the district.

Carla Chandler, a mother of three district students, said she expected about 100 members of her church, the Lighthouse of Lapeer Church of God, to be on hand again Thursday. Chandler's husband, Edward, is pastor of the church.

Like other opponents, Chandler believes the Potter books go beyond innocent fantasy and delve into the occult and witchcraft.

"What they are portraying the books to be is pure fantasy. They are comparing it to 'Moby Dick,' " Chandler said. "The problem is, this is not about fantasy."

The books are a veiled introduction to the Wiccan religion and are dangerous for children, especially those with parents who are not involved in their children's lives.

"Harry Potter may be fantasy, but the Web site links (about Harry Potter) are leading children to a very real religion called Wicca."

The reading of the books would be voluntary and subject to parental permission, said Debbie Thompson, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

After the controversy arose at the Jan. 3 meeting, board President Art Sieting and his family read all four books in the series. Sieting has become a fan.

In his day-to-day discussions with Lapeer residents, Sieting said he has heard only encouragement from people about using the books in the schools.

"The only cons I've heard have been at the board meetings," Sieting said. "I think they are fantasy tales. They are pretty decent books that delineate good and evil without any doubt. I have found them quite interesting to read."

Thompson said teachers are constantly searching for books to interest average and above average eighth-grade students who struggle with reading.

The cultural craze surrounding the books provides a catalyst for teachers to interest students in reading.

"We are always looking for books that will capture their interest, without being at such a low level," Thompson said. "These books appeal to a wide range of ages."

Since the controversy arose, she has fielded only three phone calls from parents concerned about the books. One was satisfied after learning that they were optional and not required reading.

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