Occasional objections concerning the appropriateness of some of the materials in the school library may arise from parents or pressure groups despite the care taken to select the materials. It is imperative that the librarian who selects materials for the campus library be prepared to answer would-be censors.

Prior to entering into the formal reconsideration process, the campus should try to resolve the manner informally as outlined on pages 2 and 3 of EFA LOCAL. The campus principal may also wish to send a letter, with the following documents to the parent/group making the objection. The campus librarian can assist the principal in compiling these documents:

1. Instructional goals and objectives
2. Selection criteria
3. Procedure for handling objections

The questioner will be asked to fill out the “Request for Reconsideration of Materials” form. A copy of the completed form will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Celina Independent School District. If the Celina Independent School District Library Media Specialist or Principal does not receive a completed and signed form within two weeks, then the matter will be considered resolved.

Within ten school days of receipt of the complaint, the school’s principal and CISD Superintendent will appoint a committee composed of the following persons to review the complaint: school’s Principal; collection development specialist; classroom teacher; the district curriculum coordinator; one community member. It is suggested that each campus librarian work with their principal at the beginning of each school year to form a review committee. Per school board policy:

The reconsideration committee shall include at least one member of the instructional staff who either has experience teaching the challenged material or is familiar with the challenged material. Other members of the committee may include District-level staff, library staff, secondary-level students, parents, and others deemed appropriate by the principal.

The review committee will:

1. Examine the challenged resource by reading critical reviews

2. Weigh values and faults to be able form opinions based on the material as a whole rather than on a particular set passages or section which can be taken out of context;

3. Discuss the challenged resource in the context of the educational program;

4. Prepare a written report to send to the questioner and to keep on file for future reference.

The said report of the will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Celina ISD Schools who will inform the complainant of the results within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. No materials shall be removed from use until the committee has made a final decision. The decision of the committee is binding and complainants may not raise the same or substantially same challenge after the appeal has been decided and the matter considered closed.

Attached is the school board policy (both legal and local) on the selection and adoption of instructional resources. It may also be found at https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Section/307?filter=E

Please click for access: Checklist for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials

Sample letter: https://goo.gl/inx8ra

LEGAL policies compile federal law, state law, and court decisions, providing the statutory context in which all other policies should be read.

LOCAL policies reflect decisions made by your local school board. 

EXHIBIT documents may contain forms, charts, and other kinds of supporting information.