Criticism of specific material utilized in the media center or in regular classrooms of the Chippewa Valley Schools should be referred to the building principal in order that s/he might understand the full nature of the complaint.

The principal will determine whether the complaint concerns instructional material available only at his/her school or whether it is material used district-wide. If it is determined that questioned materials are used only at one school, administrative procedures will be implemented that involve meeting with the complainant, the appropriate staff member, and the principal.

Complaints that involve materials used district-wide will be referred to the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction who will hold appropriate meetings and, if he deems necessary, involve a citizen review board. Reports regarding system-wide complaints will be given to the Board of Education.

Questioned materials should be reviewed objectively. Every effort should be made with persons or groups questioning school material to consider their objections. Review committees will consider relationships of the materials to the district’s educational philosophy and goals, professional opinions of other teachers and other competent authorities, reviews of the material by reputable bodies, and teacher’s own stated objectives in using the materials, and the nature of the objectives of the complainant.

During the time that questioned materials are being reviewed, individual students may be excused from using challenged materials. Teachers will assign alternate materials. When a decision has been rendered by a review committee, students will be expected to use approved materials unless exempted by special permission of the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. This will only be given when the appeal is based on religious or moral objections.

Appeals from all decisions concerning challenged materials may be made through proper channels to the Superintendent and Board of Education.