The River Valley Board of Education recognizes that occasional objections to potentially controversial instructional materials will be made including, but not limited to, those dealing with sex, sexual preference, politics, religion, race, drugs, violence, language/swearing, evolution and the like. Such objections may emanate from educators, parents, students, or other groups.
In the event that materials are questioned, the school's responsibility to provide information and enlightenment and to defend the principles of intellectual freedom and the right to access of materials shall be maintained. The Board supports the principles of intellectual freedom inherent in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association, the School Library Bill of Rights of the American Association of School Librarians, the Student's Right to Read of the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Statement of Intellectual Freedom of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
Any person objecting to a particular instructional material may file a complaint in accordance with established procedures found in Policy #871-Rule.
The River Valley School District shall not discriminate in the selection and evaluation of instructional and library materials or media on the basis of sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.
LEGAL REF.: Sections 118.13 Wisconsin Statutes
121.01(1)(h)
PI 9.03(1), Wisconsin Administrative Code
CROSS REF.: Policy #361 - Selection of Instructional Materials
Policy #411 - Rule - Discrimination Complaint Procedures
Policy #871-Rule - Procedures for the Reconsideration of Instructional Materials
Policy #871-Exhibit – Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials
APPROVED: August 12, 1982
REVISED: June 8, 1989
REVISED: January 8, 2004
APPROVED: January 22, 2004
12/21/2004 pw