Katherine Bolsovera filed a complaint about a book in the middle school library using the proper channels, Northwestern Lehigh School Superintendent Mary Anne Wright said at the Feb. 20 board meeting.

The complaint was discussed at the January board meeting when the issue was tabled after board members needed more time to look at the issue.

"Troy" by Adele Geras is a historical romance with too much sex, bad language and violence, according to Bolsovera.

Some national reviews considered the book suitable for seventh and eighth graders. Others said it was suitable for only upper high school grades.

The book had been reviewed by middle school Principal Laurie Hoppes, and four teachers.

Hoppes said parents are able to review at home what their children check out of the library.

New books may be requested by students or teachers as in, "I want some material on Mesopotamia."

The board has several choices, Wright said.

Members could accept Bolsovera's suggestion the book be moved to the high school; accept the school team's recommendation that the book was suitable, or make their own decisions based on reading the book or having a committee read it and report to the board.

Board member Willard Dellicker emailed the author and asked if there were other objections.

The reply was that there had not been any objections since it was published.

Member Ron Morrison said movies are regulated with a rating system but there is no such thing for books. He said the school should develop a policy.

Member LeRoy Sorensen said it was an opportunity to make a decision without government interference.

"Move it to the high school and be done with it," he said.

On a 5-4 vote the board decided not to move the book from the seventh and eighth grade availability and by the same vote to support the administration in not making a change.

In other business, the district received a quote for $1,538 for a sign at Weisenberg Elementary.

There was discussion about obtaining quotes from providers inside the district because it would provide a small help to the economy. The quote was approved.

Bids will be requested for two 77 or 78 seat buses and two passenger vans.

The bond refinancing closed the day of the meeting providing a $968,000 savings.

The district credit rating has been changed from AA- to A+.

Mini-grant applications by the Northwestern Education Foundation are being accepted. The foundation would like to make more money available for the grants.

Among the fundraisers on the yearly agenda are May 19, 5K run; June 8, Appleby's Pancake Breakfast; Aug. 9, golf tournament; and Oct. 20, clay shoot.

Dellicker said at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute budget talks, the number of kids being sent to the school was discussed. He described the LCTI education as a viable option for technical training.

A half-day skill training session costs the home district $5,379 per student and an additional $3,404 for those who go the entire day and attend the Academic Center.

The school is not filled to capacity. Northwestern does not send ninth grade students to LCTI because it considers the academic work more important for that grade.

A local resident said he can provide a photo booth for the Brookside Country Club, which is hosting the prom for less than the $1,000 that had been quoted by an out-of-district company.

Activities Director Jason Zimmerman said it is the students who make decisions about the prom.

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Holman said the district received an American Association of School Administrators grant for $700; $500 is for food for needy families and $200 for bus passes, such as when someone needs a bus to get to a job.

Board members Sorensen and Joe Reiter attended the Science Olympiad and were surprised and happy with the way members of opposing teams helped each other and were glad for the winners whether they knew the people or not.