An effort to return seven books that were removed from classrooms following the elimination of Mexican American Studies courses failed Tuesday with the TUSD Governing Board.
TUSD Governing Board Member Mark Stegeman brought the resolution forward but made no motion for a vote upon learning that he didn't have enough support for approval.
Board member Adelita Grijalva was the most vocal in her disapproval of the resolution, calling Stegeman's effort a "campaign strategy" and the "height of hypocrisy."
In January, Stegeman supported the suspension of the courses, which were found to be in violation of state law.
He said on Tuesday that eliminating the courses was the best decision for the district as a whole, but he felt that the removal of seven texts, which occurred as a result, was no longer necessary.
"I don't think the irony is lost on anyone who has been paying attention," said Grijalva, who did not support the dismantling of the classes in January. "If this were actually a true consideration of the fact that mistakes were made, then I would happily be voting, but this really merely is words.
"None of the curriculum that goes with these books will come back."
Governing Board President Miguel Cuevas, who did support the elimination of the classes, also said publicly that he would not support Stegeman's resolution.
The book removal caused an uproar among Mexican American Studies supporters who claimed that TUSD had banned the texts - a story that quickly spread across the nation.
The district denied the reports of a ban, arguing that while the books were removed from classrooms, they were available for student use in campus libraries.
Stegeman has denied that his resolution was presented in a bid to gain more votes in November.
Nonetheless, throngs of Mexican American Studies supporters were in attendance Tuesday, voicing their displeasure with the board and calling for the return of the classes.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
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