PUBLIC COMPLAINTS CONCERNING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
 

Complaints concerning instructional materials will be accepted only from staff, district residents, or the parents/guardians of children enrolled in a district school.

Complaints must be presented in writing to the principal on the appropriate district form. (See Exhibit.)  Complaints regarding printed material must specify the precise nature of the objection.  The statement must be signed and identified in such a way that a proper reply will be possible.

Individual students may be excused from using challenged materials after the parent/guardian has presented a written complaint.  The teacher will then assign the student alternate materials of equal merit.  Use of the materials by a class, school or the district, however, shall not be restricted until so directed by the Superintendent or their designee.

Upon receiving a written complaint, the principal will acknowledge its receipt and answer any questions regarding procedure verbally and in writing.  The principal will then notify the Superintendent or their designee and the teacher(s) involved of the complaint. 

The Superintendent or their designee will determine whether the complaint should be considered on an individual basis or whether a review committee should be convened.  The Superintendent or their designee has the discretion to deny consideration of the written complaint.  Any such denial by the Superintendent or their designee shall be considered final action of the district on the written complaint.  

The use of challenged materials by class, school or district shall not be restricted until final disposition has been made by the district. 

A review committee may be formed under the direction of the Superintendent or their designee.  It shall be composed of three or more staff members selected by the Superintendent or their designee from relevant administrative and instructional areas.

In deliberating challenged materials, the review committee shall consider the educational philosophy of the district; the professional opinions of other teachers of the subject and of other competent authorities; reviews of the materials by reputable bodies; the teacher’s stated objectives in using the materials; and the objections of the complainant.

The review committee shall determine the extent to which the challenged material supports the curriculum, the educational appropriateness of the material, and its suitability for the age level of the student.  The review committee has the discretion to determine whether it shall review the entire instructional material or only certain sections of the instructional material.  

Within 60 days of being convened, the review committee shall summarize its findings in a written report and submit it to the Superintendent or their designee for final action.  The Superintendent or their designee may approve request(s) from the review committee for additional time to conduct its review. The Superintendent or their designee shall notify the complainant of their decision regarding the complaint no later than 60 days after the review committee submits its written report for final action.

If the complainant finds that the final action of the Superintendent or their designee is unsatisfactory, they may request to have the matter placed on the agenda of a school board meeting.  The Board President determines if the matter will be placed on the agenda of a school board meeting.  

When any challenged instructional material is reviewed by the district, it shall not be subject to any additional reconsideration for 12 months.

State-Adopted Material

If the challenged material has been adopted by the State Board of Education, the Superintendent or their designee may forward the complaint, without action, to the Department of Education for reevaluation and decision. 

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption Date: 10/13/99
Revision Date: 8/14/2019

Revision Date: 12/7/23

Revision Date: 1/17/24

• Form-Citizens Requesting Reconsideration of Instructional Materials