The Upper Adams School Board voted 7–2 Sept. 15 to require the removal of expletives and religious expressions deemed disrespectful from Biglerville High School’s fall production of “Radium Girls,” following a lengthy debate over religious beliefs, student participation and the board’s role in reviewing theatrical content.
Examples of the disputed language include: “Charlie, for God’s sake.” “For Christ’s sake, you’ve got one lawyer.” and “Oh Jesus.”
The approved motion requires removing all expletives from the script and performances, along with all disrespectful or irreverent uses of religious names. Melissa Anders and Neil Weigle voted against the measure.
“Radium Girls” is a powerful, fast-paced stage play written y D.W. Gregory that dramatizes the true story of female factory workers poisoned by radium-based paint in the 1920s.
Board member Matthew Lustig raised the issue under old business, asking colleagues to reconsider their earlier approval of the production through the consent agenda. He said he had intended to address the play before that vote but missed the opportunity.
Lustig praised the historical and educational value of D.W. Gregory’s play about young women who suffered radium poisoning. However, he identified six instances of language he believed would offend some religious families.
He argued that students’ families should not have to choose between participating in a school production and adhering to their religious beliefs. He said he would not allow his own daughter to participate unless the language was changed.
Lustig reported that he had contacted the company holding the play’s rights and received written confirmation that the playwright permits schools to remove expletives. During the discussion, he said he forwarded that correspondence to the board.
Superintendent Todd Dishong said administrators had reviewed the script and disputed any suggestion that offensive language was widespread throughout the play. He agreed that certain language could be removed but asked which expressions would be considered objectionable and who would make those decisions.
Dishong said the district had strengthened its review process following concerns about a previous production. Both he and Lustig emphasized that “Radium Girls” had substantial historical merit.
Weigle questioned whether the board would be judging community standards according to individual members’ beliefs. He also raised concerns about making a decision based on passages that had not been supplied to members before the meeting.
Other comments during the debate favored allowing students to discuss objections with the director and seek individual substitutions. Supporters of the motion argued that changing a few expressions would allow more families to feel comfortable participating in or attending the production.
Other business
In other business, the board returned a proposed revision of its opioid-antagonist policy to the policy committee for further review.
Lustig questioned whether detailed emergency-response requirements could expose employees to liability if circumstances prevented them from following every prescribed step. Dishong read the district solicitor’s response recommending that the steps remain, with employee protection evaluated according to the circumstances of a particular incident.
Board members discussed seeking additional guidance from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the district’s insurer before proceeding.
The board also rejected an amendment that would have removed language permitting employees and contracted personnel of legal age to possess tobacco products. Members then approved the staff tobacco policy on first reading. Dishong said possession had not presented a known district problem and that the solicitor recommended retaining the language.
The district welcomed five new teachers, and the Canner Foundation presented gifts to help cover classroom expenses. Foundation representatives reported an endowment exceeding $273,000 and said community donations, combined with a foundation match, would provide approximately $3,700 for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library—enough to supply books to about 120 children for a year.
Matthew Lustig also reported that the foundation had changed its bylaws to remove voting roles previously held by the superintendent, business manager and school board representative.
Dishong said the district’s search for a business manager remained underway. The board approved new human resources and payroll coordinators to allow overlap with retiring employees.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 7 p.m., with committee meetings Oct. 6. District calendar