The Elizabethtown Area School District board voted to approve the grade 9–12 English language arts scope and sequence on Thursday while excluding several specific materials pending review and alternatives.

Administrators said the draft ELA materials include elective choices and that parent notification procedures exist for films and higher‑maturity texts. Several board members and public commenters raised concerns about specific titles and a film version that were described as containing mature themes. In response, the board amended its approval to remove four items from the approved list pending alternatives: The Glass Castle (as a possible English 10 elective choice), House on Mango Street (creative writing excerpts), The Hate U Give (optional literature), and the 1996 film version of Romeo and Juliet.

Dr. Kirkpatrick and other instructional staff described the curricular intent and said the removed items had been placed as optional texts or excerpts and that parental notification and opt‑out options are part of practice for mature content. A pro‑curriculum speaker praised the ELA scope for connecting literature and history and for including empathy in learning objectives.

The board’s action approved the overall scope and sequence while directing administrators to propose alternative texts or versions that meet course objectives without the elements the board removed. The vote was recorded by roll call.

What’s next: administrators will return with alternative titles or options for the classes flagged by the board. Parents and teachers will be notified of any changes through the normal curriculum adoption process.