The following procedures shall be employed in handling complaints concerning any textbook, library book and any other instructional material used in District schools.
1. When a resident has a complaint concerning a textbook, library book or other instructional material and protests its use in class or its availability in a school library, the Principal shall hold an informal meeting with the complainant and the teacher, librarian or other staff member who is using or providing the book or material. At this meeting, the complainant will be asked to make clear their objection to the material; the teacher or librarian will be asked to explain the educational value of the material.
2. If a complaint is not resolved informally, the complainant must file a written complaint with the Superintendent and/or designee on a form provided for this purpose within ten school days of the informal meeting. The form must be fully and properly completed, as well as signed, in order to be considered.
3. Each fully and properly completed written complaint will be presented to the Instructional Materials Review Committee. The membership of the committee will be in accordance with Policy 1420 and include a member of the community.
4. The committee shall:
a. read and examine the challenged material;
b. consider the specific objections to the material voiced by the complainant;
c. weigh the values and faults of the material as a whole;
d. where appropriate, solicit advice or opinion from other District faculty and and/or relevant professional
organizations such as the American Library Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, National Council
of Social Studies Teachers; and
e. issue a written report to the Superintendent containing its recommendations concerning the complaint
within a reasonable period of time
5. The Superintendent shall review the report of the committee, make a decision and notify the complainant and appropriate staff within 10 school days.
6. If the complainant is not satisfied with the Superintendent's decision, they may submit a written appeal to the Board, with a copy to the Superintendent, within ten school days or the matter will be considered closed. The Superintendent’s decision and the committee's report will be shared with the Board, for context and consideration. The final decision on behalf of the District shall be made by the Board.
Adoption date: December 1,,1995
Amended date: June 12, 2006
Reviewed date: November 23, 2015
Amended date: January 9, 2017
Amended date: March 21, 2022
To print or download this policy, please click here.