A member of the Alpena Public Schools board recently proposed a change to school policy regarding the process used to respond to complaints. The complaints in this case seemed to be about certain books kept in the school libraries. The change would simply give three members of the board the power to remove the books. Currently, the process involves parents, principals, the administration, and the board.

I am concerned for two reasons. First, the proposal eliminates the possibility of an informal settlement through conversation between parent and principal (the way most such complaints are settled) and replaces it with a divisive debate at a formal board meeting and public vote.

A second concern regards the efforts of a small group within a local church. These folks were at the heart of the recent efforts to remove certain books at the Alpena County Library. Now, some of them are Alpena School Board members. Their former effort divided our community, affected millage votes, and council elections. What will happen when the same issue hits the Alpena Public School system?

Religious groups have a right to organize and even attempt to force their moral decisions on society thanks to the First Amendment. Likewise, all of us have a right to read what we want thanks to the same Amendment. However, fixing policy so that a small minority can always overrule the majority is just wrong.

Lest anyone think I’m anti church, be advised that I’ve been a pastor for over 50 years and served a local congregation for 20 of those years before retirement.

THE REV. TOM DOWNS,

Alpena