Guidelines for the Reconsideration of Instructional Materials

Any patron of the school district may raise an objection to instructional materials used in the district's educational program.

Initial Contact

The school official or staff member initially receiving a complaint should review the Instructional Materials Policy and explain the intended educational usefulness of the challenged material to the complaining party.

In the event that the person making the objection is not satisfied with the explanation, they should be encouraged to file a formal complaint and should be assisted in filling out the Selection Review Form.  If the form is not filled out at this time it should be made clear that it must be filed with the superintendent/designee within a week of the initial contact and the date should be indicated on the form.

The principal of the attendance center should be advised of the complaint no later than the end of the school day following the initial contact and a written record of the procedure shall be maintained by the building principal.

Selection Review Committee

The Selection Review Committee will be made up of thirteen members appointed for a two-year term by the Superintendent. No more than half the committee will be replaced each year. This committee will be trained once a year about issues of intellectual freedom.

(5) teachers - one from each attendance center

(1) library media specialist

(1) principal

(4) members of the community

(2) students

Committee members directly associated with the selection, use, or challenge of the material in question shall be excused from the Committee during the deliberation. The superintendent/designee may appoint a temporary replacement for the excused committee member. The excused member may serve as a witness and provide information to the Committee.

ALL MEETINGS OF THE SELECTION REVIEW COMMITTEE MUST BE PUBLICIZED ACCORDING TO THE OPEN MEETING LAW.

Within three school days of the filing of the Selection Review Form, the superintendent/designee shall forward the Request for Selection Review to the Selection Review Committee for re-evaluation. Access to challenged materials shall not be restricted during the review process.

First Meeting of the Selection Review Committee

Within five school days following the filing of the request the Selection Review Committee should meet. At this time members will receive a copy of the Selection Review Request Form, professional reviews of the material when available, and copies of challenged material as available.

Second Meeting of the Selection Review Committee

Three to five days following the first meeting interested person, including complainant, may have the opportunity to share their views in a public meeting. Seven members of the committee must be present to constitute a quorum. Up to five speakers supporting and five speakers challenging the material may present their views to the Committee. Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. The Committee's final decision will be made public. They can decide to:

1) Deny the challenge and retain the material

2) Uphold the challenge and remove the material

3) Restrict use of the material (terms of the restriction should be specific)

The written decision and its justification shall be forwarded to the superintendent/designee, the complainant, and the appropriate attendance centers.

Appeal Procedure - First Step

If anyone is not satisfied with the decision of the Selection Review Committee, they may request that the matter be placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the School Board. These requests should comply with existing Board policy and rules regarding the School Board agenda. School Board members should get copies of the challenged materials and the Selection Review Committee's written decision and justification within three school days. The School Board can either uphold or reverse the Selection Review Committee's decision.

Final Appeal

Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the School Board may appeal to the State Board of Education pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 290.

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Glenwood Community School District

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Glenwood, Iowa
08/30/07

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