The original story is back there in history, but the fact that we have heard nothing since may be encouraging. I checked my copy of a two-year-old Texas Almanac and find the following about Taylor.
It is in Williamson County, the third largest town entirely in the county, with a 2000 population of about 15,000. It is essentially a farm market town with all that implies. The county seat is Georgetown, a college town slightly over twice as large. The largest is Round Rock with 70,000 back then; its main industry is electronics, particularly Dell computers, and an annual regional game convention each November. Considering the state of agriculture, I suspect a sizeable ppart of Taylor commutes the 18 miles to Round Rock to work. The overspill town into the county is Austin, the state capital and by far the most progressive town in the state.
Therefore I think this game-bashing scheme will die a deserved death - if not already, then after the next school board election which should be any day now.
Paul Cardwell
From: WJ Walton <rpgadvocate@gmail.com>
To: CAR-PGa: The Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games <car-pga@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 3:58 PM
Subject: [CAR-PGa] Texas school board claims D&D club promotes "death and violence"
(Cut and pasted from The Escapist Blog - www.theescapist.com/blog)
The school board of Taylor High School in Taylor, Texas made a
proposition to end the schools Dungeons & Dragons club because they
feel it is unwholesome - but the club's sponsor, Mr. Gray, has risen
to the game's defense by pointing out the game's benefits:
" "Let's be real. In the realm of sports and clubs that one could
participate in, the Dungeons and Dragons club isn't exactly the
"hippest" option. It's a fantasy game based on created characters and
imaginary quests, and although apparently addicting, it's relatively
harmless. However, late last week, the School Board made a proposition
to end the D&D club based on the belief that it "promotes death and
violence".
Those who play the game maintain that it has no such effect. D&D
sponsor Mr. Gray said, "They are ignoring all the good things that it
promotes like team building and critical problem solving. Plus, a lot
of the kids playing lack social skills and it provides a safe setting
for them to feel accepted." "
Thankfully, the issue is under review, and it looks like the situation
is going to be handled in a mature and responsible manner - some
members of the board are planning to sit in on a game before making
their decisions.
Read the full article here:
http://my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/view/frontpage/articleid/432136/newspaperid/3556/School_Board_Proposes_to_End_the_Dungeons_and_Dragons_Club.aspx
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