Regulation KNBA-R: Complaints about Instructional Materials

CHALLENGED MATERIALS

Objection and challenge may arise concerning instructional media used in the school system. In such an event, the procedures listed below shall be followed:

1. Media Center Materials

2. The principal of his/her appointee shall listen to the parent's or patron's objection and make reasonable efforts to resolve the issue. (Note: Challenged materials may not be removed without adhering to the procedure that follows.)

3. If this attempt is not successful, the principal or his/her appointee shall explain the DeKalb County procedure for reconsideration of instructional media to the parent or patron.

4. If the parent or patron wishes to make a formal challenge, he/she shall be given the designated DeKalb County form entitled "Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Media." [See Exhibit IFA-E (2).]

5. The completed form shall be submitted to the principal within ten (10) school days. The principal must then submit copies to the chairperson of the local school media committee and the director of Educational Media. No action shall be taken unless the official form is completed submitted to the principal.

6. The challenged material shall remain in circulation until the request for reconsideration is processed and a final decision is reached by the local school media committee. However, sufficient copies may be recalled by the media specialist as needed for review by members of the media committee.

7. After the reconsideration form has been received, the principal shall meet with the local school media committee as soon as possible to consider the request and evaluate the material.

8. The local school media committee shall examine the challenged material in its entirety. The following items shall be considered by the committee in the evaluation process:

9. Professional reviews.

10. Age and maturity level of students.

11. Theme of the material.

12. Intended use of the material.

13. Literary merit.

14. Contribution of the material in presenting different points of view within the collection.

15. Material as a whole rather than passages out of context.

16. Other considerations applicable to the situation.

17. The local school media committee shall then meet to discuss the challenged material and its relationship to the goals and objectives for the school and the curriculum. The parent or patron may appear before the committee to make an oral presentation in support of his/her request for reconsideration of library media center materials. The presentation shall be limited to a maximum of ten (10) minutes. Upon completion of the presentation the parent or patron shall leave in order to permit the committee to deliberate in private.

18. During the meeting, all material shall be examined, all points of view presented, and the views of all committee members considered. After careful deliberation, the committee shall make a decision by individual printed and signed ballots. The ballots shall be tallied immediately in the presence of the committee.

19. The local school media committee shall prepare a written report concerning the decision of the committee. This report is to be filed in the office of the principal with a copy sent to the director of Educational Media.

20. The principal shall notify the complainant of the decision of the committee by letter with a copy to the director of Educational Media. If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the local school committee, he/she may appeal within ten (10) school days to the system-wide media committee. A letter requesting the appeal and a copy of the DeKalb County "Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Media" completed by the complainant shall be sent to the director of Educational Media for review by the system-wide media committee.

21. If the decision of the system-wide media committee is not acceptable to the complainant, an appeal may be made to the superintendent and then to the DeKalb County Board of Education.

22. Textbooks/Supplementary Materials and Items from the Learning Resources Center

23. The principal or his/her appointee shall listen to the parent's or patron's objection and make reasonable efforts to resolve the issue. (Note: Challenged textbooks/supplementary materials and items from the Learning Resources Center may not be removed without adhering to the procedure that follows.)

24. If this attempt is not successful, the principal or his/her appointee shall explain the DeKalb County procedure for reconsideration of instructional media to the parent or patron.

25. If a parent or patron wishes to make a formal challenge, he/she shall be given the designated DeKalb County form entitled "Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Media." [See Exhibit IFA-E (2).] The completed form shall be returned to the principal within ten (10) school days.

26. The challenged material shall remain in circulation until a decision is reached by the appropriate system‑level committee.

27. The completed form for reconsideration of textbooks/supplementary materials and items from the Learning Resources center shall be forwarded immediately to the associate superintendent for Instruction. The associate superintendent and the appropriate system‑level committee shall evaluate the material.

28. The parent or patron may appear before the committee to make an oral presentation in support of his/her request for reconsideration. The presentation shall be limited to a maximum of ten (10) minutes. Upon completion of the presentation, the parent or patron shall leave in order to permit the committee to deliberate in private.

29. During the meeting, all material shall be examined, all points of view presented, and the views of all committee members considered. After careful deliberation, the committee shall make a decision by individual secret ballot. The ballots shall be tallied immediately in the presence of the committee and the complainant shall be notified by letter of the decision.

30. If the decision of the system-wide committee is not acceptable to the complainant, and appeal may be made to the superintendent and then to the DeKalb County Board of Education.

31. Implementation of Statement

This procedural statement shall be implemented by the personnel of the DeKalb School System with final responsibility resting with the DeKalb County Board of Education. The coordinated efforts of personnel identified in the procedures shall be required for full implementation.

*The complete Procedures for the Implementation of the Instructional Media and Equipment Policy is in the Handbook for Library Media Specialists.