SEASIDE — The Seaside School District will continue to use “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie in its curriculum without reservations, after a vote by school board members on Feb. 18.

The decision comes roughly a month after two parents — Hilary Stock and Brett Bishop — submitted formal challenges to the book, which is typically assigned to ninth-graders at Seaside High School. The parents cited concerns over references to drugs, alcoholism, profanity and explicit content in the novel.

In keeping with school board policy, Superintendent Susan Penrod appointed parents and teachers to an advisory committee to review the challenges.

Members met twice to evaluate whether the materials were appropriate based on instructional objectives, level of difficulty and age group and to hear testimony from parents and community members. The committee recommended the book continue to be used in curriculum, but emphasized an opportunity for improved communication surrounding the district’s opt-out process.

On Feb. 18, Penrod echoed those sentiments.

“I felt like our policy outlined the (challenge review) process well, and I also think from listening to everybody, it gives us a good opportunity to improve our practices as well,” she said. “I think that we can improve our communication with parents, and I think we can clarify our process for alternative texts as well.”

Penrod confirmed that the district has a longstanding policy allowing parents to opt their children out of certain assignments. If they choose to do so, alternative reading materials are provided. Syllabi are typically sent out to parents each trimester with information on assigned reading.

Kevin LaCoste, a school board member, suggested that the district consider providing a rating system to help students and parents understand the type of content they could expect in reading materials. He also inquired about the potential for an opt-in process, rather than an opt-out process to allow more parent engagement.

“I think the material was inappropriate — personally, it’s my own opinion,” LaCoste said. “However, I don’t think it was ever a book ban. I think the issue is that parents do need to have a say.”

Shannon Swedenborg, another board member, said she would be hesitant to move toward an opt-in model, but she agrees that parents should have clear information about their opt-out options.

Changes to the opt-out process would be made by the district, rather than the board. However, board members hope that the recent challenge process can serve as a learning opportunity for staff and parents.

“We have these wonderful educated individuals here at our schools that run our schools, and I know they’ll make the correct steps to alleviate this problem in the future,” said board chair Brian Taylor. “And it is a parent’s job to be the advocate for your child, so I’m hoping that more parents will pay attention to the syllabus that they sign at the beginning of the year saying, you know, ‘Yeah, I see what’s happening here,’ and as opposed to being reactive, we’re proactive.”

Board member Sondra Gomez said she also sees an opportunity for increased transparency.

“A lot of parents are busy. They don’t always know what they can opt out of, you know,” Gomez said. “And so having that transparency, and easy transparency, for parents as a support as we are partnering here together to educate your kids — I just think that I’m glad it’s mentioned, I’m glad it’s seen, and I do think that the transparency is a great start for us to move forward.”