During a recent school board meeting, a serious issue was raised regarding the discovery of a secret library within a high school that allegedly contained inappropriate and sexually explicit materials. Former employee Katrina Gurtman reported that on May 30, 2024, she learned about this clandestine collection, which was overseen by a current staff member and disguised under the Palmyra School District Library labels.

Gurtman described her alarming encounter with the library, where she found a book featuring graphic sexual content, derogatory language, and explicit depictions of behaviors such as BDSM. This material was reportedly used in meetings where students could borrow and share books, raising significant concerns about the safety and well-being of students.

Upon discovering the situation, Gurtman promptly reported it to Dr. Richardson, who took immediate action by demanding the current staff member surrender the collection. Approximately 40 to 50 books were confiscated, and Dr. Richardson informed Superintendent Bernie Kepler of the incident. Kepler confirmed that the books had been improperly labeled and used without regulation.

A key point of concern highlighted during the meeting was the lack of communication with parents regarding this issue. Gurtman emphasized the ethical implications of not informing parents and the absence of policy changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future. She expressed her dismay at the discrepancy between the school's stringent policies regarding age-appropriate content in other contexts, such as requiring waivers for students to watch PG-13 movies, and the unregulated access to explicit materials in this instance.

Gurtman urged the school board to prioritize the health, safety, and integrity of the school environment and to uphold transparency in communications with parents. The board's response to this troubling situation remains to be seen, as community members await further action and policy revisions to ensure the protection of students.