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Board holds first read of revised instructional-materials policy and ARs; members seek notification and equity advisory role for reconsiderations
Summary
On first read the board reviewed a revised policy on instructional materials and six linked administrative regulations. Directors raised questions about whether school- or district-level reconsiderations of supplemental or library materials should notify the board and how the new District Equity Advisory Committee might participate in reviews.
The Centennial School Board received a first reading of a revised instructional materials policy (and six supporting administrative regulations) at its May 28 work session and discussed routes for reconsideration of classroom, supplemental and library materials.
Director of Curriculum (Moe) Callahan explained the draft policy divides instructional materials into four categories: core instructional materials (board-approved primary course resources), supplemental instructional materials, school library materials and classroom library materials. The draft policy includes an explicit nondiscrimination expectation for selected materials and states materials under reconsideration should remain available during review and not be removed for discriminatory reasons.
Callahan said the ARs create differing processes: AR 2 provides a district-facilitated review for core (board-approved) materials; AR 3 and AR 4 describe school-based review processes for supplemental and library materials with a local reconsideration committee; AR 5 is a standard reconsideration form; AR 6 addresses independent (non-state-adopted) adoptions. She characterized AR 3'AR 4 as intended to resolve concerns quickly at the school level while preserving a clear escalation path.
Board members expressed concern that school- or department-level reconsiderations currently would not automatically notify the full board, and questioned whether the board should at least be informed when materials are removed or when a district-level appeal occurs. Director David Lynn asked the administration to ensure the board would be notified at a minimum and suggested adding optional language that would allow an appeal to the board in some cases. Director Maureen Will said notification would allow the board to decide whether to engage further. Several members also asked how the newly proposed District Equity Advisory Committee would interface with the review process and whether the committee should have a formal advisory role in reconsideration cases.
Superintendent Owens and Director Callahan said they would take the board's feedback and consider wording changes to the ARs (including notification language and potential roles for the equity committee) before the next reading; they recommended keeping the policy first reading separate from adoption because the meeting was a work session and public comment opportunity is limited.
No vote was taken; the policy and ARs will return for a second reading with proposed edits.
