Readers Weigh In On School Committee's Movie Decision

Cameron Diaz won't be strolling around the streets of Reading. And Patch readers had plenty to say about it.

We asked Reading Patch readers if they think the School Committee made the right decision when they voted 4-1 to prevent Columbia Pictures from filming at Parker Middle School. Board members expressed concern about logistics of filming with students in the school, and also content of the movie, which used a working title "Sex Tape."


Below is a sampling of what Reading Patch readers had to say about the decision:

Mary Rienzo: As a mother of two Parker students. I feel the School Committee was correct in their decision. The premise of the movie and the inability for anyone to completely secure our students was the proper focus. I'm glad they put safety and morals first. Not money.

Jen Moher Sepulveda: Missing out on free moneymaking for Reading, tsk tsk. Local union paychecks, permit fees, police details, restaurant business, etc., which will just go to a neighboring school district.

Ray Vaudo: We didn't need our kids to be depicted as the class that watched their teacher's sex tape. Yes, that's the scene. Is there one reason to ignore that? I sure hope no parent would trade exposure and in return expose their child. Not enough money in the world.

Vicki Turner-Hayes Fortin: While I don't think we should be keeping our kids in bubbles, I also understand the hesitation of the School Committee. Hollywood is notorious for doctoring the facts/content in order to get what they want and were probably hoping everyone would be so starstruck they wouldn't look into it completely.

Demetra Tseckares: This is another example of the School Committee being out of touch with the taxpayers and business community. Of course their first concern is for the kids but frankly a movie being shot is a great opportunity to learn something new and inject some energy into a school day. I am willing to bet that parents would have mobilized if they knew that the loud minority was being catered to. I think most of us figured this would be a great thing and assumed it would pass.

Reading Parent: Was it a vocal minority? I don't know. It seems that the content of the movie is far too inappropriate to be associated with Reading Public Schools- especially a middle school. I believe the School Committee made a stand on principle, and they should be applauded. Why on earth would anyone want a movie called 'Sex Tape' filmed at their child's school? I can think of several reasons, none of which is justifiable in this instance.