In early December, two parents at Middlebury’s Mary Hogan Elementary School filed a complaint against the school regarding the implementation of gender-related materials and books used in the kindergarten curriculum. The initial complaint has sparked fierce debate at recent school board meetings and further review by the superintendent and school board, who are still in the process of weighing a potential ban.
The books cited in the complaint included “They He She Me: Free to be!” by Maya Christina Gonzales and Matthew Smith Gonzales, “Bodies are Cool” by Tyler Feder, “It Feels Good to Be Yourself” by Theresa Thorn, “Julián is A Mermaid” by Jessica Love, “Introducing Teddy” by Jessica Walton, “Sparkle Boy” by Lesléa Newman and “Fred Gets Dressed” by Peter Brown, according to the Addison Independent.
“Challenges to books and other instructional materials come along periodically and are processed carefully,” wrote Emily Blistein, the ACSD director of communications and engagement, in a Dec. 9 email to the Addison Independent.
In response, members of the local transgender community and allies rallied against the proposed book ban in an effort to urge the Addison Central School District (ACSD) board to deny the request to ban several books that allow for kindergarteners to understand gender identity, according to the Addison Independent. Community members, parents and students at Middlebury College expressed strong emotions as they presented their own perspectives on the potential ban.
Members of the local Middlebury community were able to contribute public comments at a recent board meeting on Jan. 6. Several attendees expressed concerns about the possible medical and legal ramifications of allowing these books to remain in classrooms.
“My concern is certainly for the health of the individuals, but also for potential liability for the school district in the future, especially if a policy is followed that would encourage the use of these agents without obtaining proper informed consent from the parents,” said Mario Capparuccini, a physician at Porter Hospital who did not mention any current experience with treating children or transgender people.
Board member Steve Orchez and Superintendent Wendy Baker pushed back on the idea that Addison County schools are teaching students about their gender, or trying to encourage gender transitions.
“There is a conspiracy theory that is currently floating around out there, that schools are administering hormone injections for students that are unsafe,” Orchez stated. “We don’t have enough nursing resources to hand out aspirin. We’re not changing people’s genders.”
“Or even talking about it,” Baker added.
Physicians, Addison County students, parents of transgender individuals, local activists and other people from the Middlebury community previously spoke at a Dec. 16 meeting, with most advocating in favor of keeping the books available to children at Mary Hogan.
“The First Amendment…. is so important, but not just including for the people trying to ban this book. It makes me wonder why they try to ban books?” asked Rory MacDonald, a seventh-grade student in Cornwall, Vt. “Books are an author's voice, their opinions and so to take this away would be violating their rights.”
Other local residents spoke out against the book removal as well, urging the board to reject the complaint and to ensure students have access to the disputed texts.
“A small group of parents should not dictate what other people’s children are allowed to read,” said Emily Bissonette of Colchester, Vt.
Another speaker, John Watson of Middlebury, Vt., shared his observations on raising a now-grown child who identifies as transgender.
“My child didn't grow up thinking that she was born in the wrong,” Watson shared. “We need not have a curriculum that advances transgender ideology simply to recognize that there are people with different positions on the spectrum of gender identity.”
Some public comments disagreed on the necessity for books to be included in school curriculum, arguing that families are responsible for conversations about gender and identity with their children.
“Vermont Family Alliance believes that the family is a sacred institution,” said Renee McGinness, a resident of Moncton, Vt. and member of the Vermont Family Alliance. “It’s not a question of whether or not parents and children need to have these kinds of discussions over gender… but it’s about who should be directing these conversations.”
Social media has been a focus for the different narratives represented in the conflict. Memes and Facebook pages have been used for the dissemination of the different arguments on both sides, according to the Addison Independent.
MiddPride, a local LGBTQ advocacy group, also attended the ACSD meeting and voiced their opposition to the ban.
“Book bans that target gender diverse storylines are a blatant attempt to erase trans and gender diverse people from our classrooms. Our community is clear: trans people belong, and these books do too,” MiddPride wrote in a Dec. 14 Instagram post.
Other local activist groups have weighed in as well on the contentious topic in recent weeks.
“The NAACP strongly condemns any attempt to ban books, especially for elementary students, as it undermines students’ fundamental right to access diverse ideas and perspectives,” wrote Mia Schulz, president of the Rutland Area NAACP in a Dec. 9 statement. “We strongly urge the Superintendent and the school board to deny this request and make clear their support for a diverse and welcoming learning environment for all students.”
The appeal has not yet been decided by the superintendent, but when a decision is reached, the parents may appeal again, which will go to the ACSD school board for the final decision.
“Dr. Baker indicated that she likely won't be able to issue a decision until after critical FY26 budget development work is complete after January 17th,” wrote Mary Noble, a member of the school board, in an email to The Campus.
Editor’s Note: Editor in Chief Ryan McElroy ’25 and Managing Editor Madeleine Kaptein ’25.5 contributed reporting to this article.
