School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 7-12

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

 

Complaints from the Public:  Challenged Controversial Materials

  The School Board believes that the division should be responsive to inquires from the community regarding instructional materials used in the schools. To meet this responsibility, the School Board directs the Superintendent to establish procedures whereby complaints by a citizen or citizens of the school division regarding specific books, publications or materials used by or presented to the students may be processed in an orderly manner. The Superintendent shall develop these procedures in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. The School Board recognizes the right of the individual parents to request that   their child not have to read a given book provided the parent makes a written   request to the appropriate building principal.



2. Copies of all materials that are the subject of a complaint shall be made available to the complainant. A refundable deposit shall be required before materials are   removed from school premises.



3. Complaints must be specific and in writing.
   
   
4. The complaints shall be referred to a committee representing the views of the   students, parents, teaching staff and supervisory staff and having among its membership representatives of the committee that originally selected t he material in question. The committee shall evaluate the challenged material in terms of the original criteria for selection and shall invite the complainant to present his views   in person to the committee. After having reached a decision, the committee shall   report its findings to the Superintendent or his/her designee.



5. After a conference with the complainant the Superintendent or his/her designee   shall render a decision.



6. The complainant may appeal the decision of the Superintendent to the School Board. After having reviewed the complaint and the Superintendent’s recommendation, the School Board shall make a final decision.

 

Editor's Note:

Procedures for selecting and evaluating materials are established at policy 6-61 and any implementing regulations.

 

Legal Reference:

Code of Va., § 22.1-238, as amended, Approval of textbooks and appliances; decodability.

Code of Va., §22.1-253.13:7, as amended, Standard 7. School board policies.

Virginia Department of Education Regulation 8 VAC 20-170-10, Responsibility – local School Boards.

 

Adopted by School Board: October 17, 1989
Amended by School Board:  October 20, 1995
Amended by School Board: May 9, 2006