File:  KEF - Public Concerns/Complaints about Teaching Methods, Activities or Presentations

Parents/guardians or community members may challenge the use of any teaching methods, activities or presentations and must express such objection through the following procedures:

1.   The parent/guardian (herein, complainant) with a concern is encouraged to meet with their student's teacher(s) and/ or staff involved. If the complainant is not satisfied with the results of the teacher meeting, the complainant shall put their concern in writing and arrange a meeting with the school principal.  The teacher shall be invited to attend this meeting. A written record shall be made of this meeting. Copies shall be supplied to all parties involved.

2.  A complainant who is not the parent or guardian of a student in SSD, or whose child is not in the class at which the challenge is directed, shall contact the principal of the appropriate school to meet and discuss the concern and submit a written objection. A written record shall be made of this meeting. Copies shall be supplied to all parties involved.

3.  The teacher who is subject to the challenge shall be invited to attend any subsequent meetings in which the challenge is discussed. Written minutes shall be taken. Copies shall be supplied to all parties involved.

4.  If the complainant is dissatisfied with the results of the meetings with the principal (see 1 and 2 above), the principal shall inform the complainant of the following procedures and provide a copy of these procedures and the written objection to be acted upon by a review committee appointed by the superintendent.  The review committee shall include the Chief of Academic Officer who will chair this committee, the chair(s) of the District Accountability Committee, a parent member of the School Advisory Committee of the school where the complaint originates, and the District leader charged with overseeing matters of equity.

5.  Within 10 working days of receiving the written objection, the principal shall forward it to the chair of the review committee together with a written report of the meetings held with the complainant.

6.  Copies of the report also shall be sent to the superintendent, the complainant and the teacher involved.

7.  One copy of the report shall be kept in the school file.

8.  The principal shall provide the chair of the review committee with a copy or copies or description of the methods, activities or presentations, and the principal involved shall be given the opportunity to render a professional opinion on the appropriateness of the methods, activities or presentations utilizing supporting evidence.

9.  The complainant and teacher shall be given the opportunity to render an opinion on the appropriateness of the material utilizing supporting evidence.

10.  Within 60 calendar days from receiving the completed and the written objection, a written recommendation from the review committee shall be forwarded to the superintendent and all interested parties.

11.  If the complainant or teacher involved is not satisfied with the recommendation of the review committee, he or she has the privilege of appealing to the superintendent and if necessary, the Board of Education.

12.  If the same methods, activities or presentations are challenged at a future date, the principal and the chair of the review committee shall examine the previous decision in the light of additional points of view. If they find any significant difference in the new challenge, the committee again may review the methods, activities or presentations. Otherwise, the original decision shall stand and a copy of the final written recommendation of the committee and any Board action shall be sent to the complainant with an explanation that the methods, activities or presentations have been evaluated previously. If the complainant believes his or her challenge is different from the previous one or that significant new evidence exists, the complainant may appeal the decision to the review committee, superintendent or Board of Education.

13.  Any party may be represented by counsel at any step of this procedure.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to modify or repeal any other policy or regulation of the School District relative to rights and expression on the part of the professional staff or students.

Adopted April 24, 2012

Revised:  September 16, 2021