Norwood residents fighting for two teachers’ jobs have opened another chapter in a controversy over a banned book.
The contracts of two teachers – including one who assigned the reading of Rudolfo Anaya’s “Bless Me Ultima” – have not been recommended for renewal, and that has kicked off protests and a petition drive and claims that the teachers are being let go because they have challenged the administration of Norwood School District R2-J.
Norwood, in southwest Colorado, made national news last year when then-Superintendent Bob Conder pulled two dozen copies of the 1972 coming-of-age novel and let a complaining parent destroy them.
He called the book “garbage” and said it contained “filthy language.”
Interim Superintendent Larry Ranney, who came to Norwood a month ago, denied that book banning had anything to do with the teachers not being retained.
“The book issue never came up,” he said.
Ranney said he could not elaborate on the reasons for the nonrenewals because they are personnel matters.
Norwood middle and high school teacher Lisa Doyle inadvertently touched off the controversy over free speech early last year when she assigned Anaya’s award-winning novel to her high school students.
A parent complained that the book, about a 7-year-old boy growing up under the competing influences of staunch Catholicism and magical Hispanic beliefs, contained obscene language and pagan practices.
Months after the controversy put the small town of Norwood in the spotlight, Conder became ill. The district is looking for a new permanent superintendent.
Ranney said Conder and Norwood High School principal Jim Hoffman made the recommendation that the contracts of Doyle and high school counselor and teacher Beth Costa not be renewed.
Both have taught in Norwood for three years and are in the last year of their probationary period. They could not be reached for comment.
Townspeople have placed petitions in several businesses asking the board not to follow the recommendation. They plan to turn those over to the school board Tuesday when members take up the issue.
About 50 Norwood High students voiced their displeasure by walking out of classes this week and gathering in the school office to talk to Ranney.
Norwood sophomore Sarah Setzer said Doyle and Costa are two of the more outspoken advocates for students and teachers.
Staff writer Nancy Lofholm can be reached at 970-256-1957 or nlofholm@denverpost.com.
