In policy 3200, Selection of Instructional Materials, the board establishes a process for the selection of instructional materials to meet State Board of Education requirements and the educational goals of the board. That process provides an opportunity for parental input in the selection of materials.

The board recognizes that despite the opportunity to participate in the selection of materials, parents still may have concerns about instructional materials used in the school system. Thus, to further involve parents in the education of their children, the board also provides opportunities for parents to review instructional materials and a process for parents to use when they object to instructional materials.

A. PARENTAL RIGHT TO INSPECT MATERIALS

Parents have a right under federal law to inspect all instructional materials which will be used in connection with any survey, analysis or evaluation as part of any applicable federally funded programs. Parents ordinarily also may review all other instructional materials following procedures provided by the school or superintendent. Some materials available through the Internet and used in individual classes to provide up-to-date information or information on current events may not be available for review; however, all materials used in reproductive health and safety education shall be available for review as provided in policy 3540, Comprehensive Health Education Program.

B. PARENTAL OBJECTION TO MATERIALS

Parents may submit an objection to the principal regarding the use of particular instructional materials using the district provided form to Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials. The principal shall establish a Reconsideration committee to review the objection.

The building level Reconsideration Committee shall be composed of the following members:

1. Building Level Administrative Team

2. Media Coordinator (non-voting ex officio member)

3. Lead Teacher from each Grade

4. Parent Volunteer from each Grade

The building level Reconsideration Committee will:

• examine the item and the objection(s)

• survey reviews of the item in professional reviewing sources

• determine the extent to which the item supports the curriculum

• weigh the merits against the alleged weaknesses, considering the whole item instead of isolated passages

• discuss the item and prepare a written report of the findings and decisions of the committee.

If the committee determines that any material violates constitutional or other legal rights of the parent or student, the committee shall either remove the material from instructional use or accommodate the particular student and parent. Before any material is removed, the committee shall ensure that the curriculum is still aligned with the Common Core State and North Carolina Essential Standards and articulated from grade to grade. If an objection made by a parent or student is not based upon constitutional or legal rights, the committee may accommodate the objection after considering the effect on the curriculum; any burden on the school, teacher or other students that the accommodation would create; and any other relevant factors. Books and other instructional materials may be removed from the school media collection only for legitimate educational reasons and subject to the limitations of the First Amendment.

If the parent is not satisfied, he/she may file a Citizen’s Request for Review of Building-Level Recommendation with the Community Media Advisory Committee (CMAC) within seven (7) calendar days of the building level Reconsideration Committee.

The Community Media Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following members appointed by the Board.

1. The Superintendent or his/her designee

2. The District Technology Director

3. The District Director of Digital Learning and Media

4. A media coordinator from each level of school within the system (i.e., elementary, middle, high school)

5. A principal from each level of school within the system

6. A parent from each level of school within the system

7. A high school student

NOTE: Any staff member serving on the CMAC (such as the media coordinator or teacher) that also serves on a school level MTAC or Reconsideration Committee will abstain from any voting involving a review of a school level decision that originated at their school.

The CMAC will re-examine all documentation from the original reconsideration decision. They will prepare a written report of their findings and recommendation and report directly to the Board.

Consistent with and pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 115C-98(b1), the Board of Education shall review the CMAC’s recommendation and make the final decision.

Legal References: U.S. Const. amend. I; 20 U.S.C. 1232h; N.C. Const. art. I, § 14; Board of Educ. v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982); G.S. 115C-45, -47, -81, -98, -101

Cross References: Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), Curriculum Development (policy 3100), Selection of Instructional Materials (policy 3200), Comprehensive Health Education Program (policy 3540)

Adopted: Monday, 05 November 2012
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, 31 May 2023
Last Updated: Tuesday, 11 July 2023