Intellectual Freedom Statement
The Red Lake School Board recognizes the need and right of students to free access to many different types of print an non-print materials. It also recognizes the rights of the professional staff to select print and non-print materials supportive of the school’s educational philosophy, curriculum and goals. The selection of instructional materials on controversial issues will be directed toward maintaining a diverse collection representing various views. Instructional materials shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses. The Board subscribes in principle to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the statements of policy on library philosophy as expressed in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.
Procedures for Dealing With Concerns About Educational Resources
A. Statement of Policy:
Any resident, employee or parent of a child in School District #38 may express concerns about resources in the district’s educational program. An informal resolution shall be attempted first between the questioner and the professional media personnel and/or the teacher. If there is not information resolution of the concern, the following policies and procedures shall be used.
B. Information Meeting:
2. The principal and appropriate professional staff shall:
a. Listen to the questioner’s comments.
b. Explain the school’s selection policies and procedures and criteria used for selection of materials.
c. Explain the place of the material in the educational program and its intended educational use.
3. If the questioner wishes to file a formal challenge, the use of the Statement of Concern about Educational Materials form shall be explained and the questioner invited to complete the form and return it to the principal.
C. Formal Review
2 Teachers – 1 Core, 1 Allies
1 Media Specialist
1 Administrator
3 Community Members
1 Student
The Red Lake School Board recognizes the need and right of students to free access to many different types of print an non-print materials. It also recognizes the rights of the professional staff to select print and non-print materials supportive of the school’s educational philosophy, curriculum and goals. The selection of instructional materials on controversial issues will be directed toward maintaining a diverse collection representing various views. Instructional materials shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses. The Board subscribes in principle to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the statements of policy on library philosophy as expressed in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.
Procedures for Dealing With Concerns About Educational Resources
A. Statement of Policy:
Any resident, employee or parent of a child in School District #38 may express concerns about resources in the district’s educational program. An informal resolution shall be attempted first between the questioner and the professional media personnel and/or the teacher. If there is not information resolution of the concern, the following policies and procedures shall be used.
B. Information Meeting:
- Any concern not resolved informally shall be directed to the building principal. Within 3 (three) working days, the principal will contact the questioner, provide the questioner with a copy of these Policies and Procedures and arrange a meeting with the questioner and appropriate professional staff.
2. The principal and appropriate professional staff shall:
a. Listen to the questioner’s comments.
b. Explain the school’s selection policies and procedures and criteria used for selection of materials.
c. Explain the place of the material in the educational program and its intended educational use.
3. If the questioner wishes to file a formal challenge, the use of the Statement of Concern about Educational Materials form shall be explained and the questioner invited to complete the form and return it to the principal.
C. Formal Review
- Upon receipt of a signed Statement of Concern about Educational Materials, the principal shall within 5 (five) days refer it to the Educational Materials Review Committee Chair for review of the material
- Educational Material Review Committee.
- Members will be identified by Sept. 15 of each school year.
- Educational Material Review Committee.
2 Teachers – 1 Core, 1 Allies
1 Media Specialist
1 Administrator
3 Community Members
1 Student
- Terms. Committee members shall serve 1 (one) year.
- Meetings. The first organizational meeting shall be called by the Media Specialist or another member designated by the Superintendent. During this meeting, the committee shall elect a chair and a recorder. Other meetings will be held as needed.
- Upon receiving the Statement of Concern, the Educational Review Committee Chair shall:
- Inform members of the Educational Material Review Committee.
- Make available the questioned material for reading, viewing or listening by the committee members.
- Arrange a meeting of the Educational Material Review Committee within 20 (twenty) school days to hear testimony, discuss the questioned material and reach a decision.
- Follow all procedures outlined in the Operating Guidelines for the Educational Review Committee.
- Resolution
- Upon completion of the review process, the Chair of the Education Material Review Committee shall, within 5 (five) days, file the Report of the Educational Materials Review Committee with the Superintendent and provide copies to all appropriate individuals – Questioner, Principal, Teacher and/or Media Specialist. The written report (signed by all members of the committee), accompanied by any written materials used during the proceedings, will be the official record of the case.
- The decision of the Education Material Review Committee shall be binding as specified by the Committee.
- Appeal of the decision of the Educational Materials Review Committee.
