Any resident of the school district may formally challenge instructional materials used in the district's educational program on the basis of appropriateness.

If a complaint is made, the following procedures should be followed:

1. Inform the complainant of the selection practices and procedures and make no commitments. Make every attempt to resolve the issue informally in a private, personal conference with the complainant. If the complainant is not satisfied with the explanation given, then request that the person submit a formal "Citizen's Request For Reconsideration of a Work" (available from media specialist) to the building principal.

2. Inform the superintendent and other appropriate personnel.

3. Keep challenged materials on the shelves during the reconsideration process.

4. The building principal should maintain a written record of all contacts with the complainant.

5. Upon receipt of the completed reconsideration form, the building principal forwards a copy to be filed with the Superintendent of Schools.

6. Within five business days of the filing of the form, the Superintendent, or person so designated by the Superintendent, shall call a meeting of the Reconsideration Committee.

7. The Reconsideration Committee shall be formed each year by October 15 and shall consist of nine members:

One teacher, designated by the Superintendent of Schools.

Two school library media specialists.

Two students from Keokuk High School, selected by the Student Council.

One member of the central administrative staff, selected by the Superintendent of Schools.

Three members from the community appointed as follows:

One Elementary representative

One Middle School representative

One High School representative

All members' terms will be for two years, except the students' terms, which will be one year.

8. The Committee shall meet each year prior to the first week of November at a time and place determined by the Superintendent. A chairperson and a secretary will be designated at the first meeting, with the chairperson being a community member.

9. The procedure for the first meeting following receipt of a reconsideration request form is as follows:

a. distribute copies of written request form

b. distribute copies of the challenged material, as available, to be read, viewed, or listened to by the next meeting.

c. distribute copies of reputable, professionally prepared views of the material when available

d. give complainant or group spokesperson an opportunity to talk about and expand on the request form

10. At the second, or a subsequent, meeting, the committee should determine the extent to which the material supports the curriculum, and arrive at a recommendation to present to the Superintendent concerning action to be taken. The committee may make its decision in either open or closed session. The committee's recommendation will be one of the following:

a. to take no removal action

b. to remove all or part of the challenged material from the school

c. to limit the educational use of the challenged material

11. The major criterion for the final recommendation is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use. The principles of intellectual freedom inherent in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, the right of access of materials, and the integrity of the certified personnel involved in the selection must also be considered. The written recommendation and its justification shall be forwarded to the Superintendent, to the complainant, and to the appropriate school building(s).

12. The complainant shall be kept informed by the secretary concerning the status of his or her complaint throughout the Committee reconsideration process. The complainant and known interested parties shall be given appropriate notice of such meetings.

13. Committee members directly associated with the selection, use, or challenge of the material in question shall be excused from the Committee for the duration of the deliberation process. The Superintendent may appoint a temporary replacement for the excused Committee member, but such replacement shall be of the same general qualifications of that person excused.