‘Secret library’ of LGBT+ books could not be used by students

Palmyra Area School District Supt. Dr. Bernie Kepler read a statement to a packed auditorium on Oct. 24 regarding parents’ concerns about the “secret library” presented to the school board at the Oct. 10 meeting.

In May 2024, the administration found that the high school’s SAGA club had a collection of books supported by the student-run club. SAGA, or Sexuality and Gender Acceptance club, is a student-run club attended mostly by LGBTQIA+ students and their allies.

“SAGA club books were kept in a high school classroom locker where SAGA club meetings were held,” Kepler said. “The books in question were private books of that club, were not part of the district’s library system and were not available to the student body. The books were kept privately.”

Residents first addressed the board on October 10 about a staff member who kept a “secret library” of books containing sexually explicit material. The books were discovered by a former district employee who tipped off high school principal Scott Richardson and were labeled to appear as though they were supposedly part of the school library.

No evidence was found that any of the books held by the SAGA club had been accessed by high school members in about a year, according to Kepler. The books had a sticker on the inside cover stating that they were the property of the Palmyra Parish High School SAGA club.

“There is no evidence that any of the books held by SAGA club students are of a sexual nature or that it is inappropriate for students to be in private possession of school property during SAGA club meetings,” Kepler said.

Ahead of the board’s Oct. 24 meeting, former employee Katryna Griffin, who briefed the school, was part of a small group that held a pre-meeting rally outside the district office. Griffin said he picked up a book from the library called “The Queens’ English, the LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases.”

“So I thought this title would make for a really informative book. But the content of the book is very clear,” he said. “This is very sexual, vulgar and disrespectful and in no way appropriate for school.”

Griffin added that no action has been taken since he gave the book to administrators and that the superintendent did not want to mention the book to the school administration. So she reported the book to school board member Jill Martin.

“No steps have been taken to meet with parents and talk to children to make sure they are not exposed to this material,” he said. “There was no opportunity to meet with the parents afterwards regarding this information. I filed a CYS report, they told the police there was no real crime here. And I think the school has a responsibility to let the parents know what their children are being exposed to at school.”

“The Queens’ English” is a comprehensive guide to “modern gay slang, queer theory terms, and playful colloquialisms that define and celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture,” according to the book’s website. According to the authors, the book is designed to provide an in-depth look at queer language, from the terms of lesbian poet Sappho to the language of today’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

“The glossary uses real-life usage examples of how to use each term in a sentence; provides usage notes to understand the origins and appropriate use of each term; includes an educational history lesson that highlights important people and events that shaped queer language; and features resources and support that support LGBTQIA+ people.” A list of organizations!” website says thequeensenglishus.com.

Based on the administration’s investigation, Kepler said it was “clear that there was no evidence” that the book was in the presence of students or was part of the SAGA club’s private collection.

“When concerns were raised regarding the SAGA club’s private book collection, the district immediately requested that the labels be removed to ensure separation from the district and that the books be removed from the school environment while the school investigation was ongoing.” he said at the school board meeting.

Kepler said the books have not been returned since the initial investigation in May 2024 and the SAGA club no longer maintains a book collection at the high school.

“No actions by SAGA club students violated district policy or state or federal law,” he said. “The district fosters an environment where all students are welcome and strives to ensure that no individual is discriminated against.”

community concerns

Joyce Massar was the only resident to speak to the board about the incident following Kepler’s statement about the “secret library.” Although management said it had answered some of its questions, there were still concerns about whether SAGA club staff had been disciplined for providing books.

“If not, why not?” Massar asked school board members. “They were hiding books with labels from the library and sharing those books with children. As a taxpayer, I am angry about this.”

According to Kepler, a district employee is appointed as an advisor to the club. The adult does not manage the club but supervises the club’s activities, supervises the students, and ensures they do not violate school rules or policies.

“The district cannot comment on personnel matters for confidentiality and legal reasons,” he said.

School board members began the Oct. 24 meeting with a 17-minute executive session, informing the public that this was part of a personnel matter. Authorities did not say whether this issue was related to an incident involving the “secret library.”

“As a taxpayer, I do not want someone with a deceptive nature working with children in this school district,” Massar said.

According to Griffin, the school missed a great opportunity to notify parents that this incident occurred. Follow-up conversations would have allowed the district to have real conversations about sex, relationships, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

“I think it’s very important for the LGBTQ community to have healthy resources that both parents and students can access to promote informed decision (and) educated communication. I don’t think anything should be kept secret, that’s not appropriate in a school.”

Matthew Toth is a correspondent for the Lebanon Daily News. You can reach him at [email protected] or @DAMattToth on X..

This article was first published in Lebanon Daily News: School officials talk ‘secret library’ concerns at Palmyra High School