Committee to Review a School Library Book
Postings to this blog about issues with school library books have so far been by far the most viewed posts.
On November 1, 2022 the Nottingham School sent out an email to parents announcing the formation of a committee to review a challenge to one of the books in the school library. The book was not identified in the email. A book was objected to at the October 19 School Board meeting.
Two community members are being recruited on a “first response” basis. Meetings will be held at 3pm at the school, with the first meeting on November 6.
Full details are below.
Email from the School
The school has been asked by a community member to reconsider a book that is currently in the Library. We have specific policies around this and one of the first steps is to form a committee to review the reconsideration request. I have attached a procedure sheet that outlines the nature of the committee and its role. In addition to Nottingham School staff members, I would like to have two community representatives as well.
The goal is to complete the review in 30 days and I anticipate having up to three meetings in this process. At this time, the best schedule for all of the staff to be there is to have the meetings after school at 3pm. The initial meeting will be to set up parameters and handle logistics (copies of the book will be made available). I would like to have the committee formed by the end of this week and will take community representatives on a first response basis. Please respond to csousa@nottingham.k12.nh.us. The first meeting will occur at 3pm, on Wednesday, November 9th, here at the school.
Chris Sousa, Principal, Nottingham School
Procedure Sheet
RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Material/Book Review/Selection Committee Information
The Instructional Materials Reconsideration Committee (Book Review/Selection Committee) addresses formal requests for reconsideration of library and instructional materials in the Nottingham School District. The committee provides a context in which differences of opinion and possible selection errors may be examined openly. It is important that both discretion and frankness be part of these discussions.
The Principal, upon receipt of a "Request for Reconsideration" will acknowledge receipt to the Complainant, notify the Book Review/Selection Committee, and schedule meetings necessary to review the complaint and to write a report. The goal is to have complaints considered and acted upon within thirty school days of receipt. However, this may take longer depending on the amount and nature of the materials to be reviewed.
The committee shall be made up of:
● Building Principal
● District Curriculum Coordinator
● Grades K-4 Representative
● Grades 5-8 Representative
● A Content/Literacy/Numeracy Specialists and/or Library Media Specialist
● Guidance Counselor (K-4 or 5-8, depending on the materials in question)
● At least one but not more than two Community Members
The main task of the committee is to make a determination to either restrict or remove access to reviewed materials. District policy regulations and procedures are considered when studying the challenged materials. In addition, Nottingham’s content experts may be consulted, as needed. Once the determination is made, a final report is then forwarded to the complainant and the Superintendent of Schools and the committee's work is finished.
The review committee shall take the following steps after receiving the request for reconsideration and the challenged materials:
1. Read, Review, and/or listen to the material in its entirety;
2. Check general acceptance of the material by reading recognized and evaluative reviews;
3. Determine the extent to which the material supports the curriculum, is appropriate for the age and maturity levels of the students who have access to the materials and whether the material is suitable for, and consistent with, the educational mission of the school;
4. Complete the appropriate "Review Committee's Checklist for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials" judging the material for its strength and value;
5. The Principal will write the final report and review it with the committee prior to sending it to the complainant and the Superintendent.
If the complainant is dissatisfied, their next step is to submit their request to the Superintendent of Schools for action. If the complainant does not accept the Superintendent's decision, the complainant may request a review by the School Board, whose decision will be final.
During the investigation the instructional material will remain in use unless the Book Review/Selection Committee votes to remove or restrict the material until a final decision is made.