IIA-AR - Resources/Instructional Materials Complaint Procedure

Code: IIA-AR
Adopted: Unknown
Re-adopted: 8/13/97, 7/17/14
Original Codes: 4120, 4130
 

There are many differences of opinion about any subject.  Such differences of opinion come about with the use of instructional materials in the schools.  An orderly procedure which would assure a fair hearing to those who have objections to materials, yet offer protection to the district and its employees from unreasonable demands, is necessary.  The process offered by this district is intended to assure that carefully considered judgments are made in response to criticism or objection.

  1. All complaints to staff members are to be reported immediately to the principal involved — whether these come by telephone, letter or by personal conference.
  2. If the complaint cannot be resolved at the building level, the complainant will be furnished with a standard printed form which is to be filled out before formal consideration is given.
  3. Materials subject to complaint will not be removed from use pending committee study and final action by the Board unless removal from circulation is directed by the superintendent.
  4. A review committee of seven (7) persons will be formed.  The committee will consist of an administrator, two representative classroom teachers, an instructional materials specialist, a Board member and two lay persons from the district.  The district will provide a secretary to keep minutes of committee meetings.  There will be no press releases until final action is taken by the Board.
    1. The two lay persons and the Board member will be appointed by the Board chair.  The administrator, two teachers and instructional materials specialist will be appointed by the superintendent.
    2.  The committee will meet immediately and will organize itself and develop its own procedures.  The committee will return a written report to the Board and the superintendent within three weeks of the assignment.  As required by Oregon law, the committee meetings will be open to the public.
    3. The committee may recommend that the questioned material be:
      1. Retained without restriction;
      2. Retained with specified restrictions;
      3. Not retained.
  5. The recommendations of the review committee will be placed on the agenda of the first regular Board meeting following receipt for Board action — whose decision shall be final.
  6. The decision of the Board will then be communicated to all persons involved.