Revised: July 9, 2001 872
Revised: February 9, 2004
Revised: May 22, 2017
REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The Evansville Community School District Board of Education is responsible for all library and instructional materials used and curricula taught in the District schools. It is the intent of the Board that all students in the District shall be provided access to a current, balanced collection of instructional materials, which presents information accurately and without bias. The Board recognizes that without a free and vigorous exchange of ideas, learning and teaching cannot take place effectively.
The Board also recognizes that District residents and employees have a right to express concern about the educational programs of their schools. When citizens have concerns about particular courses or library or instructional materials, these concerns shall be stated in writing using the policy form and submitted to the building principal. The written concern will be carefully considered, and accorded the courtesy of a prompt, written reply by school personnel. All such replies will be based upon the instructional goals of the District, upon course objectives, and upon the criteria for selection of library and instructional materials.
The instructor or library media specialist (LMS) whose course or instructional materials have been questioned shall be the first to reply to a complaint. If the complainant is not satisfied, s/he shall have the right to appeal to the district administrator who may appoint a review panel to hear their appeal in person. The review panel shall include, but may not be limited to, a teacher or LMS, other than the one whose selection is in question, the building principal, the director of instruction, and a parent who has been involved in curricular discussions. The panel members may be adjusted by the district administrator if s/he deems it prudent and necessary. The Board shall serve as the final level of appeal. The library or instructional materials or the curriculum in question will not be removed or changed in any way during the complaint and appeal process. Alternate curricular materials will always be provided upon request.
Concerned individuals shall be treated with respect at all times. However, no individual or group of persons has the legal right to abridge the rights of other parents, teachers or students to have access to the information which is part of the educational program.
Legal Ref.: Sections 115.77 Wisconsin Statutes (Local Educational Agency Duties)
118.03 (Textbooks)
118.13 (Pupil Discrimination Prohibited)
120.13(5) (School Board Powers)
121.02(1)(h) (School District Standards)
PI 8.01(2)(h) Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 9.03(1)(e)
Local Ref.: Policy #411 – Equal Educational Opportunities
#361 – Instructional Materials Selection and Review
#361.2 – Use of Video and Audio Recordings
#872 Form – Request For Consideration of Instructional Materials
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