Madison, WI – Today, parents, educators, and school board members made their voices heard at the Assembly Committee on Education in support of AB 308, a bill that protects kids from obscene materials in school.
Currently in state statute, any adult who distributes obscene material can be found liable and prosecuted for a felony, except for those who work in schools. AB 308 would remove that immunity and simply require that educators are held to the same standard as every other Wisconsinite.
There were numerous parents and school board members (including School District of Waukesha board members Anthony Zenobia and Kelly Piacsek pictured above and Elmbrook School Disctrict board member Sam Hughes pictured right) who attended to share their support for this common-sense proposal. Over and over again, the simple message was that obscene materials do not belong in our schools, and educators should not be exempt from the same laws that everyone else has to follow. One witness said, “People seem to be more concerned about protecting teachers and librarians instead of protecting kids.”
Significantly, no one appeared to testify in opposition to the bill, not one person. The Department of Public Instruction registered in opposition, but they provided no basis for their opposition.
“When you look at the definition of obscene material in state statute, there is no reason for that type of material to be in our schools,” said Rep. Allen. “It is no wonder that no one appeared to testify against this bill. To oppose this bill is to say that you support educators distributing obscene material to minors.”
