Connecticut

Two Connecticut school board members resign amid book-ban controversy

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2023

Two Connecticut school board members resign amid book-ban controversy

Two Republican members of the Newtown Board of Education resigned Wednesday morning amid a book-banning debate, Board Chair Deborra Zukowski confirmed to the Courant.

Members Janet Kuzma and Jennifer Larkin left in the midst of a controversy over the proposed banning, or restriction, of two coming-of-age novels in the high school library.

The board, with those two spots vacant, now seats three Democrats and two Republicans.

At the board’s May 16 meeting, Larkin and Kuzma, alongside Zukowski, voted no on a motion to provide unrestricted student access to “Flamer” by Mike Curato and “Blankets” by Craig Thompson. The board’s three Democrats voted in favor of unrestricted access.

With that vote a 3-3 deadlock — Republican Donald Ramsey was absent — the vote was rescheduled to a special meeting on Thursday evening.

Democratic Town Committee Chair Alex Villamil said the meeting and vote will go on as scheduled, with the five remaining members.

Kuzma’s resignation letter was posted on the Facebook page of the Newtown Republican Town Committee. In it, Kuzma expressed disgust with her fellow citizens’ actions during the controversy, but denied that the controversy drove her to resign:

“While the timing of my resignation may be questionable with a much anticipated vote planned for this week, I need to be clear that my departure is not a result of the issue at hand. The issue and vote are irrelevant at this point. There will always be another issue, another vote,” Kuzma wrote. “My decision to resign comes after the abhorrent and vile behavior at the previous BOE meeting on May 16th. Moreover, I am resigning due to the complete lack of condemnation of this behavior by leadership at all levels. As adults in our community, we should be setting an example for our students by modeling respectful behavior and condemning poor behavior, especially when done in the presence of students.”

Zukowski released a statement: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Janet Kuzma and Jenn Larkin have resigned from the Board of Education. They both were very committed to all of our students and families, as well as dedicated to the overall work of the Board. Their energy, tenaciousness, team spirit, and constructive contributions to our discussions will be sorely missed.”

“Blankets” is autobiographical. “Flamer” is semi-autobiographical. “Flamer” is a story about a bullied Filipino teen who realizes he is gay. “Blankets” is a story about an abused young man raised in an evangelical Christian family who experiences first love.

The American Library Association released a list in April of the most-challenged books of 2022. “Flamer” was No. 4.

In the release, ALA President Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada stated “The list also illustrates how frequently stories by or about LGBTQ+ persons, people of color and lived experiences are being targeted by censors.”

In Newtown, the controversy over the books reached a fever pitch on Tuesday, when Newtown Allies for Change, which opposes the banning of “Flamer” and “Blankets,” posted on its Facebook page a list of the people who asked that the books be banned.

Nicole Maddox and Kate McGrady, executive committee members of NAFC, said in a phone interview on Wednesday that the list was acquired through a Freedom of Information Act request to the school board.

“It’s a transparency post,” Maddox said. “People have the right to understand who it is behind all of this.”

The nine names the group posted on Facebook as calling for the banning of “Flamer” are Melissa Gomez, Matt Sullivan, Joseph Martins, Amy Sullivan, Michelle Doyle, Jennifer Nicoletti, Carey Schierloh, Kersti Ferguson and William DeRosa.

Lisa Kessler is listed as the one person who objected to “Blankets.”

DeRosa is chairman of Newtown Republican Town Committee and is on the town Legislative Council. Ferguson is a Republican member of the town Planning and Zoning Commission, and is DeRosa’s wife. Schierloh is married to a Republican member of the town Board of Selectmen. Kessler is a Republican on the town Legislative Council.

Email requests for comment to DeRosa, Kessler and Schierloh were not returned.

Gomez returned a message. She said she didn’t object to her name being listed on the Facebook page, because she has been open from the start that she was one of the objectors. But she said she disapproved of the others’ inclusion.

“I think it’s highly inappropriate,” she said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to exploit parents who are concerned and have a different point of view than you do.”

The school board special meeting will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at Newtown High School Auditorium, 12 Berkshire Road in Sandy Hook. It is the only item on the agenda. The meeting also can be seen on live stream at youtube.com/watch?v=6NYlsWA6a1Y.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com

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Related Topics:american library association book ban Connecticut News CT News Featured lgbtq books newtown

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Connecticut

Governor Lamont urges residents to prepare for significant snowfall

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Governor Lamont urges residents to prepare for significant snowfall

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Governor Ned Lamont advised Connecticut residents to prepare for the first significant statewide snowfall of the winter season.

The snow is expected to begin on the afternoon of Sunday, January 19, 2025, and continue into Monday morning.

Meteorologists predict that most of the state will receive 4 to 10 inches of snow.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead and avoid travel during the height of the storm, which is expected to impact road conditions.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has more than 600 snowplows and specialized snow removal equipment ready for deployment across the state.

Crews are on standby throughout the weekend and will remain active until the roads are cleared of snow and ice.

“We’ve only had relatively light snow so far this winter, but this is the first storm where most of the state can expect to see an accumulation of more than several inches,” Governor Lamont said. “This storm is being forecast well in advance, so now is the time to prepare. If possible, stay off the roads, enjoy the game, and wait until conditions improve. If you need to drive, take it slow, and if you approach a plow, please keep a safe distance and allow them to do their jobs.”

“If you must travel during this storm, please slow down, use caution, and leave extra space between your vehicle and others,” said Laoise King, Deputy Commissioner of CTDOT.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, there were 498 fatal crashes and over 32,000 injury crashes caused by snow or sleet conditions.

Tips for Staying Safe Around Snowplows:

Maintain Distance: Stay well behind snowplows and avoid their blind spots.
Avoid Passing: Passing a snowplow is dangerous and can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of collisions.
Give Plows Space: Allow plenty of room for snowplow operators to work safely.

Winter Driving Safety Tips:

Slow Down: Adjust your speed to match road conditions and increase your following distance.
Equip Winter Tires: Winter tires improve traction on icy and snowy roads.
Stay Informed: Check weather reports and road conditions before traveling. Visit CTroads.org for real-time updates.
Prepare an Emergency Kit: Keep essentials such as blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a first aid kit in your vehicle.
Never Drive Impaired: Driving under the influence is illegal and hazardous to all road users.

For more information on snowplow safety and winter driving, visit NHTSA Winter Driving Tips.

To receive emergency alerts, visit CTAlert.

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Connecticut

Connecticut gets ready for first significant snow of the season

Published

10 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Connecticut gets ready for first significant snow of the season

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Connecticut

Connecticut prepares for first significant snow event of the season

Published

18 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Connecticut prepares for first significant snow event of the season

A good amount of snow is expected to cover our state for the first time this winter.

Our meteorologists say we could have up to eight inches by Monday morning.

If you’re traveling for the holiday weekend – you’ll notice lots of plows out. That’s because the Department of Transportation has more than 630 trucks and 900 drivers ready to go.

The snow is also coming on a three-day weekend for many. Skiers are rejoicing at the prospect.

“It’s absolutely the perfect storm,” Jay Dougherty, of Mount Southington Ski Area, said.

Dougherty said Martin Luther King Jr. weekend is traditionally one of the busiest of the year. With the impending snowstorm, he said tickets and lesson reservations are going fast.

“This winter so far has been a return to, like, what we always dream of in the ski business. Good snowmaking weather and now we’re getting some natural snow,” Dougherty said.

Some skiers we spoke with say they can’t wait.

“These guys are used to skiing on, like ice and stuff…the powder will be so much easier for the kids,” Andres Nieto, of Cheshire, said. “That’s the plan to go on Monday in the daytime there.”

Beyond the slopes, people are getting their homes ready for the snow show – one that hasn’t hit Connecticut in what feels like a long time for some.

“Salt, shovels. Snow blower, but I may pick up sand for the steps,” said Scott Peterson of Bristol, who was stocking up at City True Value Hardware in Bristol.

“People have been prepared. So over the past four to six weeks, people have been buying all their shovels, their snow blowers, their salt, and everything else,” Bob Boudreau, of City Value True Hardware, said.

For kids, Boudreau said they’re selling sleds, too.

“We have a great sledding hill in Bristol, so we’re prepared,” Boudreau said.

If you’re planning to hit the hills and need to drive to get there, the CT DOT reminds you to take it slow on the roads.

“Trying to pass the plow on the left or the right is putting people at risk of getting snow or ice throwing on their car, which could impact their ability to see,” Josh Morgan, with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said. “Give us room to work, don’t crowd our plows.”

Transportation officials remind people to drive 300 feet behind the plows on the highway. For reference, that’s the length of a football field.

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