Parkway residents protest student's treatment

ROCKFORD - About 20 parents and students showed up at Tuesday's Parkway school board meeting to support a freshman student they say has faced retaliation after her parents protested the use of a book in her English class.

Claire Armstrong, 15, told Parkway school board members at Tuesday's meeting that she feels singled out because her parents refused to allow her to read "The Freedom Writers." Her parents, Jeff and Jennifer, had asked the board to remove the book from the class reading list, saying it was inappropriate for students of that age. A committee formed last month agreed the book was inappropriate for freshmen. Superintendent Greg Puthoff told board members he supported the decision and the book was taken off the freshman curriculum.

Jeff Armstrong said since that decision, his daughter has had to listen to teacher Jessica Rolfes continue to talk not only about the book but also about meeting the author, Erin Gruwell, last week.

"I am happy she got to meet the author," Claire Armstrong said. "But she had no need to tell us everything that happened. I like her and hope she can let go like I have tried to, but she is the one that keeps bringing this up and talking about how we will read this book and how we shouldn't have to fight to read it."

The parents say Rolfes is "on a crusade for Gruwell and the book."

Rolfes could not be reached for comment.

"I feel harassed because she speaks about this and rants how stupid it is that we can't read this book whenever someone asks about it," Claire Armstrong said as she broke into tears.

Armstrong said she is also being bullied by students who have threatened to write things on her locker and has even lost a friend due to the issue.

Her parents voiced even more concern after discovering a blog credited to Rolfes. One entry described Rolfes' feelings about the committee meeting and the Armstrongs' viewpoint, calling the Armstrongs "Mr. and Mrs. Close-minded."

"Tolerance is a two-way street but she seems to have none," Jeff Armstrong said. "I never said I wanted the book banned from the school. I said I didn't want my daughter or this age group to read it for the language and scenes in the book. I felt it completely inappropriate and apparently so did the committee. We were fine with that decision, but then my daughter started being harassed during school."

The blog goes on to state what Rolfes told committee members about the book and why she felt it was important for the students to have the opportunity to read it.

"I find her blog libelous," Jeff Armstrong said. "I do believe Mrs. Rolfes is a highly qualified teacher. But what she has been doing is causing my daughter stress and emotional harm. I want it stopped. There are people all over the county, the state and even other states who are reading this blog. Maybe she was venting but she needs to control what she prints. What she has printed is not private. It is a very public forum."

He wants the board to discipline Rolfes and take the family's complaints seriously.

Clair's grandfather Dr. Jerry Sell said he wants the district to reflect the community's values.

"It doesn't matter that this book was taught in other schools or other places," Sell said. "It matters what happens here. I encourage you to do the right thing. If you want the community to support this school, the school needs to support the community standards."

Several people including Sell became upset when Puthoff said board members must review district policies before taking any action.

"We don't even have the teacher here to tell her side," Puthoff said. "This is something that we will need to discuss during executive session. We need to develop a plan."

Jennifer Armstrong said her child was suffering daily and yet, no district personnel had offered her any apology or comfort.

"No one has even batted an eye," Jeff Armstrong said. "A 15-year-old girl is up there crying because a teacher is harassing her and instead you are protecting the teacher. It's time we stopped protecting the teachers and start protecting our children."

Board member Mark Heitkamp said board members have compassion for Claire and intend to act.

"But we really don't know what the process is right now or what all the problems are," Heitkamp said. "We are just now learning about this blog. When we have all the information, we can make a logical decision."

Board member Tom Lyons said the issue must be discussed in executive session like any other personnel matter.

"We also need to speak to Mrs. Rolfes. She's not here to defend herself," Lyons said. "But I would think a decision could be made in a matter of days. We don't want this issue drawn out, but we need to find out if any rules have been broken before any discipline can be made."

Jeff and Jennifer Armstrong said they do not want Rolfes to be fired.

"We just want any and all discussions about the book and Gruwell stopped," Jeff Armstrong said. "Teachers are held to a higher standard, and so she should be. The blog needs to be addressed. We expect accountability. We're not headhunting."