MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #34
Blefast Belmont Morrill Northport Searsmont Swanville
PROCEDURES FOR CHALLENGING INSTRUCTIONAL/LIBARRY-MEDIA MATERIALS KEC
Textbooks, other instructional or library-media materials are not to be withdrawn from use on the basis of a citizen complaint without action of the Board of Directors.
1. When a complaint is made, the teacher or librarian shall hear the complaint but make no determination of its legitimacy. When appropriate, complaints concerning instructional materials should be directed to the principal; the principal should encourage a personal conference, listen to the complaint and attempt to resolve it. The principal should explain the District policy which is that texts cannot be withdrawn except by Board action.
2. If the complainant requests further action, the principal shall provide the complainant with a Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form.
3. The principal shall inform the subject area coordinator (if any) and the Superintendent of Schools of the complaint.
4. Upon receipt of a completed Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form, the Superintendent shall inform the Board of the complaint and call a meeting of a Review Committee which includes at least one teacher representative of the appropriate subject and grade level, a building administrator, at least one but no more than three members of the MSAD #34 Board of Directors as designated by the Board Chairperson, and at least one community and/or parent representative. The Review Committee shall review and evaluate the complaint and challenged materials. Other expert assistance may be sought when appropriate.
5. The findings of the Review Committee, together with the Superintendent’s recommendation, shall be forwarded as a report to the Board of Directors.
6. The Superintendent shall set a date for a hearing before the Board of Directors not more than thirty (30) days following receipt of the completed Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials. The Board, the Superintendent, and the complainant may request others to appear and give testimony at the hearing. Upon completion of the hearing, the Board shall render a decision reaffirming or withdrawing the selected materials or adopted textbooks.
Adopted: April 25, 1989
Revised: April 15, 1997
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