The controversial children's book "Walter the Farting Dog" will remain on the shelves at West Salem Elementary School of another attempt to remove it from the library.

The book, which came under scrutiny in January, barely survived an appeal to the West Salem School Board by Maynard Carlson and his son, Richard.

In the split decision, the board voted 4-3 to keep "Walter the Farting Dog" in the district's elementary school library.

The book was questioned by Maynard Carlson earlier this year after his grandson (Richard Carlson's son) read it to him during a family gathering.

The elder Carlson told the board the book does not meet the criteria set forth in the district's media selection policy, and that "from a social and educational standpoint, it has no redeeming value."

After Carlson contested the book in January, the matter was sent to the district's Reconsideration Committee, which voted in February to keep "Walter the Farting Dog" on the shelves.

The Carlsons appealed the decision, however, and asked the board to weigh the book against its selection policy.

"There's only one issue you need to consider with ‘Walter the Farting Dog' n does the book meet the criteria as specified in your board instructional medial policy," Carlson said. "You have two choices: One, if the book meets the criteria, the book stays. Two, if it does not meet the criteria, the book must be removed from the school. It's very simple."

A majority of the nearly 40-person audience appeared to be in favor of keeping the book in school, and several people present spoke out against the appeal.

West Salem Elementary School librarian Lisa Hugo told the board she believes the book meets the district's criteria because the policy states that free communication is essential to a free society.

"I see ‘Walter the Farting Dog' as accepting people for their differences," Hugo said. "It is a number one on the New York Times best seller list n it has been for months and months."

Board member Errol Kindschy agreed with Hugo.

"The word ‘censorship' n I really worry about that. I don't know where it starts or where it stops," Kindschy said. "I feel if we say this is not allowed in the library, pretty soon we're going to have other people (objecting to) other books."

Richard Carlson sees it differently, however.

"If you don't take it out, what's next?" he asked.

Boaard member Jon Hetland also had reservations about the books' place in a school library.

"In my house, my children are not allowed to use the word ‘fart," but I know there are people out there who do," Hetland said. "You can call me ward Cleaver if you want."

After a 45-minute discussion on the matter, the board voted to keep "Walter the Farting Dog" on the shelves.

Board members Kindschy, Ann Bina, Linda Brown and La Verne Nuttelman cast ballots in favor of the book, while Hetland, Roger Henderson and Greg Bergh voted to have it removed.