Concern over academic freedom and possible censorship of the Jefferson High School student newspaper prompted a recent letter to school officials from a JHS graduate. “I am writing you this letter out of concern for the JHS Journalism program after hearing from Mr. Mark Kelly that student journalists’ coverage of newsworthy topics was restricted by the JHS administration,” wrote former JHS journalism student Josh Grenzsund.
“In an October 2016 conversation, Mr. Kelly shared his account of student journalists at the Panther Press being censored by JHS administrators because they deemed the topic of poverty, particularly student poverty, to be too controversial to print. He told me he subsequently left his position at JHS,” Grenzsund, whose name was Grenz when he attended JHS about 25 years ago, said in his letter.
Responding to the letter at the request of the school board, Sabrina Steketee, school board chair, and Superintendent Tim Norbeck disputed the characterization as being censorship. “We understand that Mr. Kelly feels topics were rejected that he suggested during this time as article ideas. From our perspective, what was happening was that we were focused on articles being student-driven, suggested and developed by students, rather than the coach or teacher,” said a letter to Grenzsund.
