The Board of Education recognizes the right of individuals and groups to present legitimate concerns about educational materials in the schools. The Board also recognizes the right of an individual parent to request that his own child not read a given book. When such a request is presented, the teacher and/or school administrator should resolve the situation, perhaps by arranging for use of alternative materials meeting essentially the same instructional purpose. This does not apply, however, to basic program texts and materials that the Board has adopted.
In the interest of handling complaints objectively and expeditiously, the following procedures shall be followed.
Any individual or group which questions any educational material shall submit his concerns to the teacher or media specialist as appropriate at the school involved. Should the problem not be resolved at the level of occurrence, the principal of the school shall be contacted.
The school principal and teacher or media specialist as appropriate shall hold a conference with the complainant. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the result of the conference, the principal shall inform him of the procedures for further consideration of his objection. The principal shall provide the complainant with a copy of this policy and the "Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials" form which the complainant shall fill out in its entirety and return to the principal if the complainant wishes to appeal to the building level review committee.
Building Level Review
The building level review committee shall consist of the principal, a teacher appointed by the principal, a representative appointed by the official school parent group, and others as deemed appropriate by the principal. The principal or his designee shall serve as committee chairman.
The principal shall advise the complainant, the teacher or media specialist, and the committee of the time and place of the committee meeting. Other persons may address the committee at its request.
The committee shall review the complainant's objections to the material and the challenged material in its entirety. A written summary of the committee's decision and rationale shall be provided to the complainant within 20 school-days of the time the request for reconsideration form was received, and a copy shall be placed on file in the office of the executive director of elementary or secondary education as appropriate.
If the citizen is not satisfied with the recommendation of the building level review committee, he may appeal the decision to the executive director of elementary or secondary education as appropriate.
District Level Review
The executive director of elementary or secondary education shall appoint a review committee composed of educators and lay persons representing schools of the same grade level as the school where the complaint was filed. The executive director of elementary or secondary education or his designee shall serve as chairman. The committee shall not exceed seven persons.
The committee shall review the complainant's objections to the material and the challenged material in its entirety. A written summary of the committee's decision and rationale shall be provided to the complainant within 20 school-days of the time the request far reconsideration form has been received, and a copy shall be placed on file in the office of the executive director of elementary or secondary education as appropriate.
If the complainant is not satisfied with the recommendation of the district level review committee, he may appeal to the Superintendent. The Superintendent or his designee shall review the complaint and re-evaluation and shall render a decision in the matter. Should the solution be unsatisfactory to the complainant, he may appeal the decision to the Board. The final decision shall rest with the Board.
Second Challenge
If the same material is challenged at a future date, the principal shall examine the previous decision in the light of additional points of view. If there is any significant difference in the new challenge, the building level review committee may again review the material. Otherwise, the original decision shall stand, and a copy shall be sent to the complainant explaining that the material previously had been evaluated.
Other
The terms of this policy will continue in full force and effect until June 30, 2016. Neither party to this agreement is obligated to negotiate this policy in future negotiations.
If any provision of this policy is found contrary to law, then such provision will be deemed null and void, but all other provisions or applications thereof will continue in full force and effect.
Upon mutual agreement, this policy may be renegotiated in whole or in part at any time during the life of this policy.
Any additions, deletions or revision to this policy will be distributed to those affected, and be in effect after ratification by the Association membership and adoption of the Board.
Adoption Date: October 12, 2015
Last Revised: May 14, 2015