COMPLAINTS CONCERNING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

A. Purpose and Scope

To establish procedures which will provide a sequence to be followed regarding resolution of community complaints on instructional materials

B. General

The informal procedure should be exhausted prior to filing written formal complaints concerning instructional materials.

C. Forms Used and Additional References

District form "Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials"

D. Procedure

1. Informal Procedure

a. Complainant will confer with site administrator. If the complaint involves classroom material, every effort will be made to include the classroom teacher in this conference.

b. If the complaint is resolved, the issue is considered closed and no further action is required.

c. If the complaint is not resolved, the site administrator, on request, shall provide the complainant with a "Challenge of Instructional Material" form and a copy of this procedure.

2. Formal Procedure

a. Site Level

1) Any resident of this school district may file a formal "Challenge of Instructional Material" form if the informal procedures have failed to resolve the complaint.

2) The formal complaint shall be delivered to the site administrator by the complainant.

3) The site administrator shall review the formal complaint and shall either resolve the issue if it is within the authority of the site administrator; reject the complaint; or refer the complaint for action to the Assistant Superintendent- Educational Services. The site administrator must respond to the complainant within five (5) school days.

4) If the site administrator rejects the complaint, the complainant may appeal to the Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services.

b. District Level

1) The Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services, shall act on a referral or appeal within ten (10) school days.

2) If the complaint is found to be justified, based upon a violation of law or policy, the Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services shall take necessary action to resolve the complaint.

3) If the complaint is not found to involve a violation of law or policy, the Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services, or designee shall appoint an ad hoc committee of appropriately qualified personnel to review all issues relating to the complaint. This ad hoc committee shall make appropriate recommendations to the district Curriculum Council. The ad hoc committee must complete its review and recommendations within twenty (20) school days, and the report shall be considered by the district Curriculum Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting following the receipt of the committee report by the chairperson of the Council. The Council shall make a recommendation. The chairperson of the district Curriculum Council shall forward the ad hoc committee report and the Curriculum Council recommendations to the Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services within five (5) school days of the Curriculum Council meeting. The Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services shall make a decision on the complaint within five (5) school days of receiving the reports and recommendations.

4) The complainant may appeal the decision of the Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will make a decision within ten (10) school days.

5) The complainant may appeal the decision of the Superintendent to the Board of Education. The issue will be placed on the next agenda of the Board of Education as determined by the agenda preparation calendar. The decision of the Board of Education is final.

c. All decisions on the complaint and within the appeal process shall be provided in writing.

d. If the complaint involves a lengthy printed work, the Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services may extend the review period for the ad hoc committee by ten (10) school days.

e. Only one book/media software/item may be included on a "Challenge of Instructional Material" form.

f. At each stage of the review process, the complainant may request the opportunity to make a personal presentation.

3. During the period of formal review of material, any decision regarding the use of the material will be made by the Assistant Superintendent - Educational Services. One of the following options will be approved: (1) continued use of material, (2) continued use of the material with alternative materials made available on request of parents, or (3) suspended use of the materials

4. Material shall not be subject to review more than once in any three year period.

E. Reports Required

1. District form "Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials"

2. All written responses to complainant

F. Record Retention

None

G. Responsible Administrative Unit

1. Educational Services Division

2. Site Administrator

3. Superintendent

H. Approved by:

Sharon McHolland	9/14/95	James O. Fleming	9/15/95
Responsible Division Head	Date	Superintendent	Date