6144

Policy

Instruction

Controversial Issues

The superintendent, in collaboration with building principals, is charged with the development of rules, regulations and procedures which encourage and protect the inclusion of the study of controversial issues within the instructional programs offered by the school district.

Such rules, regulations and procedures shall pertain to the protection of the rights of freedom of speech as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, shall include provisions for the review and selection and use of instructional materials and methods, and shall protect the rights of individual students and their parents or guardians to request exemption from the study of controversial materials or topics when just cause can be shown for such a request.

It is the intent of the board that professional employees inform supervisors, pupils and the parents or guardians of pupils prior to the inclusion of controversial issues in the course of study.

Persons who wish to challenge the inclusion of instructional materials in the media collections or instructional programs of the school and persons who wish to challenge the study of any specific controversia1 issue shall follow specific procedures as specified in board policies or school handbooks or shall follow procedures for complaints as outlined in board policy.

Adopted: October 4, 1983