An assistant principal in the US read a New Zealand children’s book to young students – he was fired – Stuff

When a guest who was scheduled to read to second-year students over Zoom earlier this month didn't show up, the assistant principal at a Mississippi elementary school, improvised.

Toby Price's boss at Gary Road Elementary School suggested Price read to the students, so he reached for one of his favorite children's books: I Need a New Butt! written by New Zealander Dawn McMillan and illustrated by Ross Kinnaird. (In New Zealand, the book is titled I Need a New Bum!) McMillan is a prolific author of childrens books. Stuff has approached her for comment.

"It's a funny, silly book," Price, 46, said in an interview with The Washington Post. "I'm a firm believer that... if kids see that books can be funny and silly, they'll hang around long enough to see all the other cool things that books can be."

The students "thought it was hilarious," Price recalled. But the superintendent for the Hinds County School District near Jackson, Mississippi, did not, and about an hour after the event, Price was placed on administrative leave. Two days later, on March 4, he was fired.

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The superintendent, Delesicia Martin, who did not respond to The Post's request for comment, wrote in Price's termination letter that he "showed a lack of professionalism and impaired judgment" because "the topics described in this book were inappropriate.

Now, Price is fighting to overturn the district's decision. His efforts have garnered overwhelming support, he said, with parents, current and former students, and strangers speaking out and donating to a GoFundMe so he can pay for a lawyer and continue to support his family.

Price's firing is the latest flashpoint over books in schools, though most of the conflicts have been over those that reference race and sexual orientation. In November, the American Library Association called the rate at which books are being challenged unprecedented. In several states where new laws are dictating how teachers discuss race in schools, many educators are scared they could lose their jobs over one misstep.

Price said he fears his situation could set a "scary precedent" for teachers in his district. He worries educators will wonder if they have to get approval for every book they read to their students.

TOBY PRICE

Toby Price with his wife, Leah.

"Teachers already have so much else to worry about when they come into a building: One, getting fired over test scores; two, is someone going to come in and shoot up the building? Or am I going to catch Covid?" Price said.

The events leading to Price's firing began March 2, when he organised a Zoom event for second-year students at the Byram, Mississippi, elementary school. The gathering was to celebrate Read Across America Day, which is Dr Seuss's birthday and a day dedicated to encouraging children to read. The plan was to have a special guest read a book to them.

When the guest did not arrive, Price's boss asked him to read to the students. Price said the students loved the book, which is about a boy who thinks he needs a new butt after noticing his has a large crack.

Ricky Wilson/Stuff

Author Dawn McMillan, left, and Pat Brown in 2019 at the launch of Home Child about Brown's experience as a child migrant who set sail from England in the 1950s with her siblings.

Fifteen minutes after the event, Price said the principal at his school called him into her office. According to Price, she told him that he shouldn't have chosen that book and that parents might complain. Soon after the meeting, he said he was told the superintendent wanted to see him at the district office immediately.

"They kind of just let me have it," Price said. "She said, 'Is this the kind of thing you find funny and silly? Fart and butt and bulletproof butts?' And I said, 'Yeah, I did until I walked in.'"

On March 4, Price was called back to the district office and fired, he said.

Price said he was blindsided by the sudden decision, noting that he has never had any disciplinary issues. Not only does he love working with children, but he also has a family to support, he said. Two of his three children are autistic.

Since the firing, Price said he has not been allowed back into his office to collect his personal items. And though he wants the district's decision overturned, he's unsure about returning to the job, since he fears he'll be scrutinised by senior administrators. He is more concerned with ridding the termination from his record.

SUPPLIED/TVNZ

Jeremy Wells reads I Need a New Bum! by Kiwi author Dawn McMillan for Goodnight Kiwi.

Price said he hasn't heard of any complaints about the book from parents and noted that members of the parent-teacher organization wrote to him offering their support. Former students have also spoken out, including one who wrote a thread on Twitter about how "amazing" Price was at his job.

"[T]he man absolutely loved reading and actively encouraged it," the former student wrote. "Even lending books from his own office for kids to read."

Tom Angleberger, the children's author best known for the Origami Yoda and Rocket and Groot series, told The Post that he has known Price for years. Angleberger said he admires that Price "never gives up" and dedicated a book to him and his family in recognition of his perseverance.

"Mr Price is dedicated to making connections with kids, to making sure they have a caring adult in their lives and to proving to them that learning and reading don't have to be boring," Angleberger said.

Price said he doesn't regret his decision to read I Need a New Butt!.

"Kids need silly books," Price said. "The world is too harsh a place."

As of early Friday, the book was No 6 on Amazon's children's book bestsellers list.

The Washington Post's Michael Cavna contributed to this report.

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An assistant principal in the US read a New Zealand children's book to young students - he was fired - Stuff