Park County School District 1 to form review committee

Policy on censorship of books and instructional materials considered

Posted 10/13/22

A committee consisting of parents, community members and members of the school district will soon be formed to review the school district’s policy regarding censorship of books and other …

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Park County School District 1 to form review committee

Policy on censorship of books and instructional materials considered

Posted

A committee consisting of parents, community members and members of the school district will soon be formed to review the school district’s policy regarding censorship of books and other instructional material.

That was one of two policies the Park County School District 1 board approved at its Tuesday night meeting to be reviewed by a committee. They are part of the district’s Administrative/ Regulations and Operational Procedures, which are currently undergoing a review cycle.

Former school board candidate Aida Polson addressed the school board Tuesday evening regarding changes she thought should be made to the policy.

Polson addressed the board in regards to reviewing library books and whether or not material is age appropriate. She proposed to the board that instead of a committee of two teachers, the review committee for books and material should include two to three parents as well as other teachers and community members.

Polson said that she had seen inappropriate books in other districts and some books that she said would not be appropriate for an adult.

The policy as it is currently written allows parents to submit instructional material for reconsideration and clarifies “no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for students other than their own children.” It does acknowledge parents can request their child not read an instructional material. Books can be reviewed by a committee made up of two teachers and a librarian. If the issue is not settled it will move to the board for review. The board will discuss the material with school officials and any other parties they decide are necessary. The full policy can be viewed via the electronic school board on PCSD1.org.

Superintendent Jay Curtis addressed the complexity of the review of the policy and said the policy review should go to a committee.

“We normally don’t respond to people who come to the podium, but I will say to this person that I share your concerns, and that’s why this needs to go to a large committee of stakeholders, parents, teachers, community members, to make sure that whatever policy we come up with on this is a reflection of our community standards,” Curtis said. 

Curtis emphasized the finished policy should reflect Powell’s standards, not other cities or states.

   

Grading system 

In addition to this policy another policy was approved for a committee which covers the grading system. Curtis noted this is not a controversial issue but it can be and following professional development earlier this year Curtis said there are items to work on. A committee of teachers, administrators, parents, board members, and Curtis will review the grading system.

“So we’re going to put a lot of work time and effort into those couple of policies,” Curtis said. “I would not expect those to come back to you for additional reading until probably sometime in the new year.”

Trustee Laura Reilly has been assigned to both the book and grading committees. 

   

Other agenda items 

The board approved on second and final reading a set of AROPs which covered substitute services-summer work, website accessibility, social networking, early graduation, testing programs, controversial issues, religion in the schools, guest speakers, assemblies, service animals, discrimination student complaint procedures, grievance procedures and student performances. 

This set of AROPs experienced minor changes with the exception of substitute services which has been altered to make it easier to hire long term substitutes. Now a substitute must work 20 days for the same teacher rather than 20 consecutive days. This makes it easier for substitute teachers to receive long term pay.

AROPS approved for a second reading were field trips and excursions, homework, retention and attendance areas.

Curtis addressed rumors the AROP covering religion in schools was going to take God out of schools. Curtis explained the policy is in line with the federal law which “drives this policy” and came up only in the normal review cycle.

“We don’t discourage students from practicing religion,” Curtis said. “In fact, we celebrate that, we just as a school district can’t be indoctrinating kids in anything, even if we personally believe it.”

Other agenda items included accepting donations on behalf of district students and staff and the annual Powell High School presentation by Tim Wormald.

The school board’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 25.

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