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Billings school panel to recommend banning of 'Assassination Classroom' in library
A panel appointed by the Billings school board recommended Monday that the book “Assassination Classroom” be banned from school classrooms and libraries.
The panel included three board members, Jennifer Hoffman, Andrea Nemitz and Brooke Wagner. The three discussed the graphic novel at a meeting at the Lincoln Center and concerns brought forward by a parent. The book by Yusei Matsui was challenged and reviewed by Billings School District 2 following a complaint about violent content.
“I just have a difficult time in our current climate in having a series of books, whether it’s fictitious, science fiction, manga, whatever it is that depicts and glorifies killing our teachers,” said Hoffman. “We love our teachers and want nothing but our teachers to be safe, and I know that there’s a lot of people that see it differently and see that this book is purely entertainment.”
At the meeting, members of the public were allowed to comment on whether it should be banned from the district. One attendee, Darrell James, a former educator and substitute teacher for the district, spoke against the ban and said the popular book can be a positive for some students.
“They didn’t read this book. They found a sensational graphic and they cherry-picked something that they found offensive without understanding it in context at all. This book is what we call a modern allegory. ‘Assassination Classroom’ is an allegory about an oppressive and rigid educational system that lets the misfits slide,“ said James.
“There’s a reason other states are jealous of Montana and other countries are jealous of the United States. We have strong personal freedoms and personal responsibilities. If you ban books, you take our right to exercise both of those away from us. No more personal freedom and no more personal responsibility. I don’t need and I don’t want students to be parented by the government. Let’s leave it to the experts,” said James.
KTVQ: Billings school panel to recommend banning of 'Assassination Classroom' in library
Bozeman schools respond to statewide bomb threats, classes continue with increased police presence
Students and families saw increased police presence at Bozeman Public Schools Wednesday after bomb threats were emailed to school districts across the state.
“We are appreciative of Bozeman Police Department patrol officers and our SROs who have walked through all buildings following the widely distributed email bomb threat across the state last evening,” Bertram wrote in the second email.
The district was advised that the threat is likely a “hoax to cause disruption and concern across law enforcement and school systems in Montana,” Bertram said.
“While all threats are taken seriously, this widespread spam email bomb threat quickly was investigated by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and determined to be an email hoax designed to cause a stir and create anxiety for law enforcement, school districts and local communities across the state,” Bertram said in a follow-up email Wednesday afternoon.
“Unfortunately those types of hoax threats are increasing in prevalence in Montana and across the country.”
Blizzard Prompts School Closures Across Flathead Valley
“Due to impassable and unknown road conditions for many of our bus routes, Kalispell public schools will be remote instruction today. Our top priority is to ensure our students and staff are safe,” according to a statement from Randy Cline, interim superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools (KPS), one of the numerous districts that announced closures early Thursday. “We work very hard to avoid school closures as it is difficult on students, families, and staff. Please know that the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.”
Flathead Beacon: Blizzard Prompts School Closures Across Flathead Valley
Pallister pleads guilty to illegally possessing homemade bombs, silencer
A Helena man admitted Tuesday to illegally possessing homemade bombs and a silencer after being accused of attempting to attack Helena High School in May 2022, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
Pallister was arrested at his residence May 31, 2022, where authorities found eight firearms, including three semi-automatic rifles and five handguns. He was walking toward his car from his residence, wearing a black trench coat and carrying a bag.
The documents said Pallister had been making threats to attack Helena High School.
The person who reported Pallister said he discussed wanting to commit a Columbine-style attack at a high school and he had ammunition in his car and purchased a black trench coat similar to those involved in the Columbine shooting.
Pallister showed the individual a small propane canister with a fuse sticking out of one end, while he proceeded to threaten the individual and said he would kill them if they said anything about the bomb, documents state.
“We are grateful to the individual who bravely alerted law enforcement to Mr. Pallister, and to our Helena Police Department whose response led to his apprehension and arrest,” Helena Public Schools superintendent Rex Weltz said.
Helena IR: Pallister pleads guilty to illegally possessing homemade bombs, silencer
news.txt · Last modified: 2024/01/04 05:22 by lmuszkie