Residents gasp at Board President's sarcasm about Freedom Writers.

On August 11th, Perry Township residents got a little sarcastic wit thrown in with their regular school board meeting -- and they didn't like it.

While interrupting Assistant Superintendent Dr. Debra Barnes who was announcing the new "book adoption" for the year, New School Board President, Steve Maple chided: "Does that include the Freedom Writers Diary, Dr. Barnes?"

Maple's comment drew gasps from a seemingly astrounded and embarrassed audience. Board member Rubie Alexander, recoiled, "Allright Steve." Maple quickly apologized for the sarcasm. At the end of the meeting he said that "my goal is not to be on television...not to talk to our attorney -- and sing kumbaya at the end of my service as president."

Maple's jab was referring to the previous few months, when the Perry Township School Board was embroiled in a huge controversy surrounding Perry Meridian high school teacher Connie Heermann's use of the New York Times bestseller, The Freedom Writer's Diary in her classroom. Because Ms. Heermann used the book, against Administration's wishes they say, the school board sentenced Ms. Heermann to an unprecedented 18-month suspension without pay or subsidized benefits. Famous original Freedom Writer teacher, Erin Gruwell, who's story inspired a major hollywood movie starring Hilary SwankHilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey, flew to Indianapolis on the red-eye to testify at Heermann's Board hearing in March. After two days of gruelling, private six-hour sessions, the Board publically announced its verdict a week later. Ms. Heermann's plight received widespead local TV and newspaper coverage, then was nationally featured on CNN, and by Newsweek columnist Anna Quindlen. Other coverage included The Huffington Post, The LA Times, The Guardian (U.K.) and The Telegraph (U.K.). Maple has acknowledged receiving angry emails protesting the teacher's suspension from around the world. "These emails call the Board everything from unfair to being nazi's, communists, book banners, etc. I can't believe it," added Maple.

Gruwell has continually defended teacher Connie Heermann's use of the Freedom Writers Diary and has established a legal fund donation for her on the front of the Freedom Writers Foundation website.

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/site/c.kqIXL2PFJtH/b.2259975/k.BF19/Home.htm

"Of course without pay, I couldn't afford the group health insurance because it is at COBRA rates during my suspension," said Ms. Heermann who has an autistic daughter who requires specialized medicine as well as treatments from Riley Childrens' Hospital. "So we were fortunate enough to purchase the insurance through my husband's employer," added Heermann.