The Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education on Sept. 18 adopted a revision to Board Policy 6161.11 that requires principal approval and written parent or guardian notification before using supplemental literature described as potentially controversial; students without written permission will be excused and given an alternative assignment.

The change, read into the record by a trustee during the meeting, adds a requirement that “before using any supplemental literature dealing with any topics that may be deemed controversial, principal approval and written parent/guardian notification is required.” The policy text read at the meeting also states that “individual students without written parent/guardian permission will be excused from specific activities involving supplementary reading assignments, and the student will be given an alternative assignment.” The motion to adopt passed with all four trustees present voting yes and one trustee absent.

The policy drew extended public comment. Natalie Cooney, chair of equity and human rights for Associated Chino Teachers (ACT), told the board the revision would chill classroom discussion and risk violating state law requiring inclusive materials. “Using religion to deny the existence of people is not admirable. It’s despicable,” Cooney said during the public hearing and again during the consent-comment period, citing AB 1955 and the Fair Education Act and warning the board against a policy she said could require parental consent for routine classroom exchanges.

Board members discussed the administrative steps required to make instructional materials available at the start of the school year. A board member noted that county reviewers may verify textbook availability in classrooms at the beginning of the year, and district staff described the logistics of identifying student counts and ordering required copies.

The board formalized the policy by a motion and second on the floor and registered the vote using the district’s preferential voting procedure; the clerk confirmed a 4-0 vote with one member absent. The revised policy text read at the meeting also referenced a court decision cited by a trustee during the discussion (identified in the packet as Mahmoud v. Taylor, 2025).

The board did not specify further administrative deadlines in the motion; the policy requires principals to approve supplemental materials and notify parents or guardians in writing before use in class. Officials at the meeting said alternative assignments would be provided for students excused under the policy.

Supporters of the change argued it gives parents notice and a mechanism to opt a child out of materials that conflict with sincerely held beliefs. Opponents, including ACT’s representative, countered that California law and existing statutes already require inclusive instruction and that the revision could have a chilling effect on classroom speech.

The board’s final vote approves the revised policy as presented and places responsibility on principals and district staff to implement the notification and opt-out process.

The board proceeded to other agenda items after adopting the policy; members and speakers urged the district to maintain clear communication with families about how the policy will be implemented.