Board declines parent request to remove Walter Dean Myers’ Monster from 8th‑grade curriculum

The Galesville‑Ettrick‑Trempealeau School District board voted to deny a parent’s request to remove the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers from the eighth‑grade ELA curriculum after administrators, the building principal and the curriculum director reviewed the material and recommended keeping it.

Chair (S1) read the complaint and explained the administrative process under district policy. The district reported applying policy 9‑130 and said the building principal, curriculum director and district administrator reviewed the book, age‑level recommendations and the curriculum guide before recommending the book remain in use.

Board members discussed instructional value and edition differences. One member noted older classroom copies do not include excerpts that had circulated on social media, while another said the novel addresses ELA standards and prompts classroom discussion about decision‑making and consequences for teenagers.

A motion was made to deny the removal request; after a roll call the board confirmed the decision and the book remains in the curriculum. The chair summarized: "Stays." Several trustees noted parents retain opt‑out options and that teachers can provide alternate, standards‑aligned materials for students whose families object.

Why it matters: The decision affirms the district’s curricular review process and clarifies that edition differences and teacher protocols for alternative assignments influenced the outcome.

Next steps: Administration will continue to follow policy for parental complaints and to offer alternative assignments when families request them.