A Mississippi educator is receiving a tidal wave of support after losing his job for reading students a silly book that many families have on their shelves at home.
Former Gary Road Elementary School Assistant Principal Toby Price tells USA Today he was asked to step in and read a book to second graders over Zoom when a scheduled guest reader failed to show up earlier this month. He chose “I Need a New Butt” by Dawn McMillan, a funny book about a little boy who becomes convinced he needs a new butt after he discovers that his has a crack.
Just minutes after reading the book, Price was placed on administrative leave. Two days later, he was fired. A copy of his termination letter posted on PEN America, a nonprofit organization that advocates for freedom of expression, states that Price’s book choice contained “inappropriate words” and his decision to read the book “showed a lack of professionalism and impaired judgment.”
Price’s story went viral after he shared the news online and created a GoFundMe to cover expenses for his three children, two of whom have autism. “Was recently fired for reading ‘I Need a New Butt’ to students,” Price writes on his fundraising page. “It’s a funny silly book. A book that kids love. I am just looking for some help to pay bills while I look for another job.”
“I Need a New Butt” is an extremely popular children’s book, with more than 17,000 reviews on Amazon. Additionally, the book’s publisher, Dover Publications, suggests the book for kids ages 6-10, an age range that includes the second grade students Price read to. As news of Price’s firing went viral, many expressed shock and outrage at the school’s decision to terminate him for reading an age-appropriate book that many families already enjoy.
“Absolutely maddening that an assistant principal was fired for reading a book that is engaging and hilarious,” one parent and teacher writes on Twitter. “My son loves this book, and I’ve read it to kids who I work with who struggle in reading. These are the kind of books that help to get kids to fall in love with reading.”
Others say the firing is an example of censorship in schools. Over the past several months, school administrators and elected officials in a number of states have made efforts to ban books and certain curriculum that discuss gender, race, sexuality and other topics. “For those folks who downplay how the current wave of education censorship legislation is going to terrorize and paralyze educators: here’s a not very-funny kick in the butt,” a writer and former educator adds.
Some are simply appalled that a veteran educator was let go over something so trivial when many schools are struggling to keep classrooms staffed. “During the worst teacher shortage in our lifetime, one of our own, an amazing admin & special needs parent, was fired for reading a top-selling, beloved children’s book that says the word ‘butt,'” one person writes.
Not everyone disagrees with the decision to fire Price. To some, the book’s use of the word “butt” and illustrations that show a cartoonish character flashing his bottom seem inappropriate. “It starts cute and goes no where leaning on perverse,” a defender of the termination writes. “Would you suggest this be read to your young child? Honestly?”
Despite the occasional pushback, Price seems to have widespread support. His GoFundMe has been fully funded, and in recent updates to the fundraiser, Price says he is using a portion of the funds to pay for the cost of an attorney to fight to get his job back.
“We have been so blessed and overwhelmed by your kindness,” he adds. “Thank you. Keep reading kids silly books.”
