Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Regulation

Code No.: 605.3R1
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RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REGULATION
A. A member of the school district community may raise an objection to instructional materials used in the
school district’s education program despite the fact that the individuals selecting such material were duly
qualified to make the selection and followed the proper procedure and observed the criteria for selecting
such material.
1. The school official or employee receiving a complaint regarding instructional materials will try to
resolve the issue informally. The materials generally will remain in use pending the outcome of
the reconsideration procedure.
a. The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual
the board’s selection procedure, criteria to be met by the instructional materials, and
qualifications of those persons selecting the material.
b. The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual
the role of the objected material in the education program, its intended educational purpose,
and additional information regarding its use. In the alternative, the employee may refer the
individual to the teacher-librarian who can identify and explain the use of the material.
2. The employee receiving the initial complaint will advise the building principal of the initial
contact no later than the end of the school day following the discussion with the individual,
whether or not the individual has been satisfied by the initial contact. A written record of the
contact is maintained by the principal in charge of the attendance center. Each building principal
shall inform employees of their obligation to report complaints.
3. In the event the individual making an objection to instructional materials is not satisfied with the
initial explanation, the individual is referred to the principal or to the teacher-librarian of the
attendance center. If, after consultation with the principal or teacher-librarian, the individual
desires to file a formal complaint, the principal or teacher-librarian will assist in filling out a
Reconsideration Request Form in full and filing it with the superintendent.
B. Request for Reconsideration
1. A member of the school district community may formally challenge instructional materials on the
basis of appropriateness used in the school district’s education program. This procedure is for the
purpose of considering the opinions of those persons in the school district and the community who
are not directly involved in the selection process.
2. Each attendance center and the school district’s central administrative office will keep on hand and
make available Reconsideration Request Forms. Formal objections to instructional materials must
be made on this form.
3. The individual will state the specific reason the instructional material is being challenged. The
Reconsideration Request Form is signed by the individual and filed with the superintendent.
4. The superintendent will promptly file the objection with the reconsideration committee for reevaluation.
Code No. 605.3R1
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RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REGULATION
5. Generally, access to challenged instructional material will not be restricted during the
reconsideration process. However, in unusual circumstances, the instructional material may be
removed temporarily by following the provisions of Section B.6.d. of this rule.
6. The Reconsideration Committee
a. The reconsideration committee is made up of nine members.
(1) District Systems Facilitator
(2) One licensed employee designated annually, as needed, by the superintendent.
(3) One teacher-librarian designated annually by the superintendent.
(4) One member of the administrative team designated annually by the superintendent.
(5) Three members of the community appointed annually, as needed, by the board.
(6) Two high school students, selected annually by the high school principal.
b. The committee will select their chairperson and secretary.
c. The committee will meet at the request of the superintendent.
d. Special meetings may be called by the board to consider temporary removal of materials in
unusual circumstances. A recommendation for temporary removal will require a two-thirds
vote of the committee.
e. Notice of committee meetings is made public through appropriate publications and other
communications methods.
f. The committee will receive the completed Reconsideration Request Form from the
superintendent.
g. The committee will determine its agenda for the first meeting which may include the
following:
(1) Distribution of copies of the completed Reconsideration Request Form.
(2) An opportunity for the individual or a group spokesperson to talk about or expand on
the Reconsideration Request Form.
(3) Distribution of reputable, professionally prepared reviews of the challenged
instructional material if available.
(4) Distribution of copies of the challenged instructional material as available.
h. The committee may review the selection process for the challenged instructional material
and may, to its satisfaction, determine that the challenge is without merit and dismiss the
challenge. The committee will notify the individual and the superintendent of its action.
i. At a subsequent meeting, if held, interested persons, including the individual filing the
challenge, may have the opportunity to share their views. The committee may request that
individuals with special knowledge be present to give information to the committee.
Code No. 605.3R1
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RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REGULATION
j. The individual filing the challenge is kept informed by the reconsideration committee
secretary on the status of the Reconsideration Request Form throughout the reconsideration
process. The individual filing the challenge and known interested parties is given
appropriate notice of meetings.
k. At the second or a subsequent meeting the committee will make its final recommendation.
The committee’s final recommendation may be to take no removal action, to remove the
challenged material from the school environment, or to limit the educational use of the
challenged material. The sole criterion for the final recommendation is the appropriateness
of the material for its intended educational use. The written final recommendation and its
justification are forwarded to the board, the individual and the appropriate attendance
centers. The superintendent my also make a recommendation but if so, it should be
independent from the committee’s.
Following the superintendent’s decision with respect to the committee’s recommendation,
the individual or the chairperson of the reconsideration committee may appeal the decision
to the board for review. Such appeal must be presented to the superintendent in writing
within five days following the announcement of the superintendent’s decision. The board
will promptly determine whether to hear the appeal.
l. A recommendation to sustain a challenge will not be interpreted as a judgment of
irresponsibility on the part of the individuals involved in the original selection or use of the
material.
m. Requests to reconsider materials which have previously been reconsidered by the
committee must receive approval of two-thirds of the committee members before the
materials will again be reconsidered.
n. If necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the committee, the committee may appoint a
subcommittee of members or nonmembers to consolidate challenges and to make
recommendations to the full committee. The composition of this subcommittee will
approximate the representation of the full committee.
o. Committee members directly associated with the selection, use, or challenger of the
challenged material are excused from the committee during the deliberation of the
challenged instructional materials. The superintendent may appoint a temporary
replacement for the excused committee member, but the replacement must be of the same
general qualifications as the member excused.
p. Persons dissatisfied with the decision of the board may appeal to the Iowa Board of
Education pursuant to state law.
Approved 3/7/16