One of America’s great works of literature has been put in the spotlight at Newton High School. John Steinbeck’s 1937 book “Of Mice and Men,” has been challenged by a high school student and his parents because of the use of profanity and taking the Lord’s name in vain. NHS student Troy Mapes and his father, Terry, both of Newton, discussed their concerns with the book and other materials being used in a high school literature course at the Newton Community School District Board of Education meeting Monday night. “When I was first asked to read the book, I didn’t think anything of it. I tried reading it, but because of my faith, I don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, once I’ve read it, it’s like I’ve already said it,” the high school junior explained to board members. “To me this is appalling and something I cannot do.” Mapes’ father also discussed his concerns with the book, which is the sixth most challenged book according to the American Library Association’s Web site. “While others may say (profanity) at school, there’s no reason for a paid professional to require this in class,” Terry Mapes told the board. Superintendent Steve McDermott told the father and son on Monday that the district would look into their concerns, and NCSD Director of Educational Services Tom Hoover said the district’s reconsideration committee will convene to address the problem. “This is only the second time in my 10 years we have had to convene the reconsideration committee,” said Hoover. The reconsideration committee, which includes a school media specialist, an administrative staff member, student representatives, teachers and community members, will meet in private to examine the objected materials and make a recommendation of how the district should move forward. The committee can make one of three recommendations: 1) to remove the challenged material from the total school environment; 2) to take no removal action; or 3) to agree on a limitation of the educational use of the materials. The decision will be reached through secret ballot, according to NCSD Educational Program policy. Hoover said the committee’s recommendation will be presented for approval to the school board at a public meeting. “We are a bit more formal because we are talking about First Amendment rights here,” Hoover said. “There are Constitutional issues at stake here. There is freedom of religion, free speech and the notion of academic freedom to determine what materials they want to use in their classes.” Terry Mapes said he also is concerned about another book in the class and he wants the reconsideration committee to make a recommendation concerning “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., ALA’s 69th most challenged book. “One of my concerns is that parents don’t know what is being taught in schools,” Mapes said. “We, as parents, need to partner with the schools in educating our children.” NHS Principal Bill Peters said the school has been working with the Mapes family and has already designated an alternative for both books, and the school will follow the advice of the committee and the school board. “We’ll gladly get alternatives for the kids, we just haven’t had to with this book,” said Peters, who remembers reading “Of Mice and Men” when he was a student at NHS in the 1980s. “We’ll go through the process and whatever (the committee) decides we’ll go by.” Peters said the concerns over the school’s curriculum has actually been a positive thing for staff and students at NHS. “Kids are talking about it and it’s good for them to have discussion of what is acceptable and not acceptable,” he said. Terry Mapes said he also considers the discussion regarding the book as an encouraging event. “I would characterize this as a positive thing taking place,” Mapes said. “I would really like to put this issue behind us and move forward, and allow the school and school officials to have the latitude they need to make good choices for the students.”