Policy IGE
Parental Objection to Specific Course Material
School Board Approved: December 2, 2024
The Board recognizes that there may be specific course materials which some parents/guardians find objectionable.
In the event a parent/guardian finds specific course material objectionable, the parent/guardian may notify the building Principal of the specific material to which they object and request that the student receive alternative instruction, sufficient to enable the child to meet state requirements for education in the particular subject area. This notification and request shall be in writing. Parent/Guardian names and any reasons given for an objection to material shall not be public information.
The building Principal and the parent/guardian must mutually agree to the alternative instruction. The alternative instruction agreed upon must meet state requirements for education in the particular subject area.
School District staff will make reasonable efforts, within the scope of existing time, schedules, resources and other duties, to accommodate alternative instruction for the student. Alternative instruction may be provided by the school through approved independent study, or through another method agreed to by the parent/guardian and the building Principal. Any cost associated with the alternative instruction shall be borne by the parent/guardian.
Nothing in this policy shall be construed as giving parents/guardians the right to appeal to the School Board.
Parents/guardians who wish for particular instructional material to be reviewed for appropriateness may submit a request for review in accordance with Board policy KEC.
In accordance with the federal Protection of Pupil Rights statute, as a School District that receives federal Department of Education funds, and NH RSA 186:11, IX-c, the Superintendent shall develop procedures to allow parent/guardian of a student to inspect any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum for the student. The procedures will provide access to the requested instructional material promptly (as is reasonable under the circumstances).
NOTE regarding human sexuality and human sexual education: In addition to the protections under this policy, per RSA 186:11, IX-c and Board policy IHAM, parents/guardians are afforded additional affirmative rights with respect to instruction or program of human sexuality, human sexual education, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, including, among other things, the right to receive a minimum of 2 weeks advance notice of any curriculum course material to be used with respect to such instruction or program. Such notice will be delivered via email, other direct written means, website/social media posting, or phone call. As indicated in RSA 186:11, IX-c, no notice is required if the District employee is responding to a question from a student during class.
Legal References
20 U.S.C §1232h, ©(1)(C)
RSA 186:11, IX-b & IX-c
RSA 193:40
District Policy History:
First reading: November 4, 2024
Second reading: November 18, 2024
Third reading/adopted: December 2, 2024
District revision history: May 21, 2018
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