1312

Community Relations

Public Complaints

General Complaint Procedures

Complaints and grievances shall be handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible. Although no member of the community shall be denied the right to petition the Board of Education for redress of a grievance, complaints shall be referred back through the proper administrative channels for solution before investigation or action by the Board.  Exceptions are complaints that concern Board actions or Board operations only.

The proper order of complaints involving instruction, discipline, or learning materials is as follows:

A.  Teacher  or other employee

B.   Principal

C.  Superintendent  

D.  Board of Education

Complaints Regarding Educational Materials

A.  A parent and/or legal guardian has the right to request that his/her child not read, view or hear given material provided a written request is made to the appropriate building Principal. No parent and/or legal guardian has the right to determine instructional materials for students other than his/her own children.

B.  If there is parental/guardian concern about a particular book or instructional material, the parent will be asked to complete a "Request for Review of Book or Other Instructional Material" form.  This request will be reviewed by the teacher giving the assignment, the appropriate department coordinator, and the Principal.  If a question arises concerning the suitability of a library book or other library material, the same form will be used to register parental concern and the form will be reviewed by the librarian, the appropriate department coordinator, and the Principal.  The Principal will discuss the results of the school's review with the Superintendent of Schools and provide an answer giving the school's position to the parent.  If the parent is not satisfied with the answer given by the Principal, he may appeal to the Board of Education through the Superintendent of Schools.

(cf. 1220 Citizens' Ad Hoc Advisory Committees)

(cf. 5145.2 Freedom of Speech/Expression)

(cf. 6144 Controversial Issues)

(cf. 6161 Equipment, Books, Materials: Provision/Selection)

Legal Reference:  Keyishian v. Board of Regents 385 U.S. 589. 603 (1967)

President’s Council, District 25 v. Community School Board No. 25 457 F.2d 289 (1972). cert/ denied 409 U.S. 998 (1976)

Minarcini v. Strongsville City School District, 541 F. 2d 577 (6th Cir. 1976

Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982).

Academic Freedom Policy (adopted by Connecticut State Board of Education,

9/9/81).

Connecticut General Statutes

10-238 Petition for hearing by Board of Education.

Policy adopted:  9/17/07