It’s in the books: The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District has agreed to settle with the ACLU and the Northern Justice Project over a frivolous lawsuit concerning possibly indecent books on the shelves in borough school libraries.
But the district didn’t settle without having its say in the matter, and expressing its distaste for the law fare being committed. The ACLU and Northern Justice Project’s demand for money in exchange for dropping the case reveals the strategy the groups are using to take money from taxpayers, the district said.
“This tactic of filing a case, garnering headlines, and then seeking attorney’s fees from the very organization you sued is problematic for the Board and the District. The School Board and the District firmly believe no errors were made and the judge’s order in August seems to support this belief,” the district wrote.
“We also believe a trial on the merits would establish that the Library Advisory Committee thoughtfully and carefully reviewed each title. However, the ACLU and the Northern Justice Project knows it will cost the District far more to take the case all the way through trial. Unfortunately, this tactic works,” the district continued. The School Board and the District have a duty to prioritize the funds they receive on educating children, and not defending themselves against lawsuits.