The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

District awaiting formal complaint to test R-rated film policy

I-75 opens up after four-car crash
4:37 p.m.
Pilot uninjured in Warren County plane crash
4:32 p.m.
Boy, 14, youngest in county to be tried as an adult
3/19/10
Grant applications for history-related projects now being accepted
3/19/10
Miami sets Tibetan Culture Week
3/19/10
> More headlines

By Ryan Gauthier, Staff Writer 4:00 PM Thursday, October 15, 2009

Talawanda residents, students and administrators clashed Wednesday, Oct. 14, in a battle over whether R-rated movies should have a place in the district’s curriculum.

While a blanket decision was not made regarding R-rated films, school board members suggested they put the district’s current policy through its paces and see if “American Beauty” – the film at the heart of the controversy – winds up getting approved.

The only catch would be that nobody has formally filed a complaint regarding the material, something Superintendent Phil Cagwin said would need to happen prior to any such review.

“I would love for someone who has a concern to submit it to us, then we can use the policy,” Cagwin said. “Until someone asks for a particular instructional material to be reviewed we have no plans to conduct one.”

In his eight years as superintendent, Cagwin said he had not heard a single complaint regarding instructional material. He said the board is trying to set up another work session to continue discussing the matter, but said they are having difficulty determining which aspects of the policy may need revision.

“I’m not going to say this policy is perfect and I’m not going to say that we couldn’t make this a better policy,” Cagwin said. “I’m simply frustrated that we have a system in place that’s not being used. Until we run through the process, how would we ever know?”

Deborah Anderson, a district resident who first petitioned the school board to ban R-rated movies from the classroom, said students today live in a “sex-crazed nation,” under the impression that everyone around them is engaged in casual sex. By exhibiting edgy materials in the classroom, Anderson said teachers are condoning the sort of behavior seen on film.

Anderson invoked the spirit of deceased Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, saying nobody saw a problem with his behavior until a stingray was able to kill him.

“A famous naturalist thought he could handle challenging and dangerous animals for years,” Anderson said. “He did until one day one animal proved to be too challenging. Sometimes there comes a danger with challenge — it may be a price too high to pay.”

Students were out in force at the meeting, in overwhelming support of the controversial films.

Student Body President Ellie Pieterick said it is hard to tell at times whether they’re watching an R-rated film in class, as they’ve been shown very appropriately. Pieterick said she feels students need to be exposed to real-world issues at this stage in their lives rather than be protected from reality by their parents.

“It’s not like ‘Wow, I’m watching this crazy movie,’” Pieterick said. “It’s usually very relevant and ... it never struck me as something that was offensive. I don’t really understand the idea that an aspect of an educational tool should be cut off from me.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139, ext. 86102, or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

I was being sarcastic. Perhaps not enough.

On a serious note to "Concerned Parent," did the studies discuss the showing of artsy nudity discussed in a classroom setting or was it blatent sex for sex's sake? What are the studies so I can check some out, I'm curious.

Thanks.

JB
10:51 PM, 11/2/2009

REPORT ABUSE

im a student in this class and I would much rathir watch movis then have to read books. And movies like americen butey are fun to watck. The nudity dosnt bother me, I get pics like this all the time on my phone from other students. Pleze keep the r movis in class.

Julie
8:58 AM, 10/17/2009

REPORT ABUSE

R-rated movies are porn? That's news to me. I could've sworn that porn is rated X. Some people are dumb

Maslev
12:01 PM, 10/16/2009

REPORT ABUSE

In Soviet Russia, police hand over to you!

Vladimir
11:31 AM, 10/16/2009

REPORT ABUSE

So the superintendent whose job it is to protect our children in school, he is going to wait until he gets a formal complaint. That way the teachers and students have someone they can pick on for having morals, and standing up to obvious wrong behavior.

There are countless studies that show the harmful affects of pornography to minors. And many laws that should protect children from exposure to explicit materials.

Maybe it is time to let the police handle this...

Concerned parent
10:53 AM, 10/16/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 6 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.