Occasional objections to instructional materials will be made, despite the quality of the selection process. The Board supports principles of intellectual freedom inherent in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and expressed in the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association, the School Library Bill of Rights of the American Association of School Librarians, and the Students' Right to Read of the National Council of Teachers of English. In the event that materials are questioned, the principles of intellectual freedom, the right to access of materials, and the integrity of the certified library media personnel must be defended rather than the materials.
If a complaint is made, the following procedures should be followed.
- Inform the complainant of the selection procedures and make no commitments.
- Request the complainant to submit a formal "Request for Reconsideration of Material" (Form 6241.2).
- Inform the Superintendent and other appropriate personnel.
- Keep challenged materials on the shelves during the reconsideration process.
- Upon receipt of the completed form, the principal requests review of the challenged material by an ad hoc materials review committee within fifteen (15) working days, and notifies the media specialist and Superintendent that such review is being done. The review committee is appointed by the principal, with the concurrence and assistance of the certified library media personnel, and includes library media professionals, representatives from the classroom teachers, one or more parents and one or more students.
- The review committee takes the following steps after receiving the challenged materials:
- reads, views or listens to the material in its entirety;
- checks general acceptance of the material by reading reviews and consulting recommended lists;
- determines the extent to which the material supports the curriculum;
- completes the appropriate "Checklist for School Media Advisory Committee's Reconsideration of Instructional Material" (Form 6241 or 6241.1) which judges material for its strength and value as a whole and not a part;
- review committee decision goes to the principal;
- The principal informs the complainant and notifies the Superintendent in writing of the decision made by the review committee.
- A written appeal may be made to the Superintendent concerning the review committee's recommendation.
- A written appeal may be made to the Board concerning the Superintendent's decision.
- Retain or withdraw challenged materials as mandated by the decision of the Board.
Challenges to Information Accessible on the Internet
In compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act ("CIPA"), 47 U.S.C. § 254, the District utilizes technological devices designed to filter and block the use of any District computer with Internet access to retrieve or transmit any visual and/or audio depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to minors" as defined by CIPA and material which is otherwise inappropriate for District students.
Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, sometimes Internet websites and web material that do not fall into these categories are blocked by the filter. In the event that a District student or employee feels that a website or web content has been improperly blocked by the District's filter and this website or web content is appropriate for access by District students, Board Policy 6320 should be followed to request that the website be opened on District computers. In the event that a parent or District patron feels that a website or web content has been improperly blocked by the District's filter and this website or web content is appropriate for access by District students, the process described below should be followed:
- All concerns regarding blocked material shall be made to the District Superintendent/Superintendent's designee.
- The District Superintendent/designee shall review the blocked material and make a determination regarding its appropriateness for District students.
- The complainant will be notified within three (3) days if the blocked material is deemed appropriate for District students and student access to this web material will be allowed immediately upon processing by the District's technology department.
- If the web content is deemed unsuitable for access by District students, the complainant will be notified within three (3) days of their request and this material will remain blocked by the District's software.
- Appeal of the decision may be made in writing to the Board of Education.
- In case of an appeal, the Board of Education will review the contested material and make a determination.
- Material subject to the complaint will not be unblocked pending this review process.
Objections to Internet Access:
In the event that a student, employee, parent or District patron feels that a website or web content that is available to District students through District Internet access is obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to minors" as defined by CIPA or material which is otherwise inappropriate for District students, the process described below should be followed:
- All concerns regarding access to material shall be made to the District Superintendent/Superintendent's designee.
- Material which is patently obscene, child pornography or "harmful to minors" will be blocked immediately by the Superintendent or his designee and the complainant will be notified.
- For challenges to material on the Internet which is not patently obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to minors", the District Superintendent/Superintendent's designee shall appoint a review committee consisting of himself/herself, two (2) community members, the complainant, and two (2) educators from the District and a District network specialist. The first meeting of the review committee must take place no later than ten (10) school days after the concern has been raised.
- The committee will review the material and return within ten (10) days a decision regarding whether or not the material will be removed or restricted in any manner.
- The District Superintendent/Superintendent's designee will report the recommendation of the review committee to the complainant.
- Materials subject to the concern are not removed from use pending committee study and any final action by the Board of Education.
- The complainant, if not satisfied, may appeal the decision in writing to the District Superintendent.
- In case of an appeal, the Superintendent reports the recommendation of the review committee and the written appeal to the Board of Education. The Board of Education will review the information and make a decision within three (3) days after presentment of the information. The Board of Education's decision will be final.
- The decision of the Board of Education is then reported to the District Superintendent/Superintendent's designee who will inform the complainant.
- If the Board deems that the material is unsuitable for access by District students, the material will be blocked within three (3) school days of the Board's decision.