PLAISTOW — An online book, written under the name of the senior class president at Timberlane Regional High School, has the school community buzzing — and administrators mum.
"SEN10RS The Good, the Bad and the Really Really Bad," which was posted as being written by Joshua Peter Tubbs, was available through an online search yesterday. The online book categorizes the 350-plus members of the Class of 2010, and offers often scathing opinions of them.
Timberlane seniors interviewed yesterday expressed outrage and disgust with the book, particularly what the author had to say about classmates with special needs.
"There were some things said about people that can't really defend themselves that hurt us more," senior Cira Esposito said.
Tubbs could not be reached for comment; repeated calls were made to his home phone number, which rang busy all day long.
Students said school administrators called a senior assembly Thursday morning to address the matter. Although they did not name Tubbs specifically, administrators mentioned the book and said the matter was being investigated, according to the students. "They wanted to calm the situation down," senior Cara Hatfield said.
Hatfield said she was in the school's chapter of the National Honor Society with Tubbs. In addition to being elected class president, Tubbs also was chosen as Mr. Timberlane this fall. Students said yesterday he had been stripped of his title and the parking spot that came with it.
Superintendent Richard La Salle would not comment on the situation yesterday. He released a written statement saying the administration would investigate claims of potential student harassment.
La Salle refused to comment on any consequences the student might face.
Principal Don Woodworth also declined to comment.
"We're looking out for the safety of the students at the school and conducting a thorough investigation," Woodworth said.
In the book's introduction, the author describes himself as "a straight-A student" who has "never ever gotten a single detention or similar punishment."
"I am rather cocky in my intelligence, and I am definitely an intellectual elitist so if the stupider children would like to leave, that would be fine by me," the author wrote.
The first 10 or more pages of the book are devoted to Joshua Tubbs' background, goals — including teaching elementary school — and writing samples. He then lists the 28 categories he assigns to his classmates, ranging from "fake girls" and "druggie" to "gangstah" and "special education."
What follows are more than 70 pages of individual assessments, in alphabetical order, of 349 students. When he gets to Joshua Tubbs, he writes, "No explanation needed, I am just the best thing since canned bread."
The author concludes with the hope the project enlightened people. "I hope that these people realize their faults and build on their strengths, or make some if there is an absence," he wrote.
Some students said they were surprised how they were described in the book, saying they had never spoken with Tubbs.
Caleigh Ouellette said she only had a class with Tubbs for a few days before dropping it for another class. Still, Tubbs described her as frequently acting "stupid" in his book.
"Most of the things he said were opinions and were really stupid," Hatfield said.
Students said Tubbs was not in school yesterday and left at midday on Thursday. Administrators would not confirm whether Tubbs was present in school yesterday.
The book was written after a teacher mentioned last month that November was National Novel Writing Month. To qualify as a novel, the teacher said, a book would have to be at least 50,000 words long, according to students.
In the introduction to the book, the author mentioned the easiest way to write 50,000 words would be to write about his senior class.
"That seems like a good way to get a LOT of words with little work done," he wrote.
While the book may have the school community boiling, it has not risen to the level of a criminal matter.
Plaistow Deputy police Chief Kathleen Jones said she was familiar with the incident, but it had not been referred to them and was not a criminal matter.
Other school administrators either did not return phone calls or referred questions to Woodworth and La Salle. Six members of the Timberlane Regional School Board did not return phone calls for comment.
School Board Chairwoman Elizabeth Kosta referred all questions to school administrators.
