School Board Policy on Controversial Issues
Review Committee
Committee members
341.3 Controversial Issues
1.
Rational discussion of controversial issues is an important part of the school program.
Teachers should assist students in identifying relevant information, learning techniques of critical analysis, and making independent judgments. Teachers should help students become sensitive to the continuing need for objective re–examination of issues in light of any new information and changing conditions and attitudes in society.
2.
It is recognized that from time to time various portions or elements of educational programs may be viewed as controversial by one or more segments of the Anchorage community. When written objections are raised to the use of materials in one or more of the schools, such objection should initially be directed to the principal or unit supervisor who will process the objection at the unit level in accordance with administrative procedure.
3.
If the site level procedure does not resolve the objection within 10 school days of the filing of the original written objection, or if the site level resolution results in an agreement that the material in question is inappropriate, the matter shall be submitted to the District Controversial Issues Review Committee for review in accordance with administrative procedure.
4.
In lieu of raising objections at the site level, individuals may request a re–evaluation of materials or issues on a Districtwide basis. Such requests should be in writing and directed to the Superintendent or his/her designee.
5.
The District Controversial Issues Review Committee consists of seventeen members appointed by the School Board. The School Board encourages a broad range of individuals to apply in order to represent the various backgrounds and viewpoints in our community. Individuals interested in applying for a seat must
complete a District application. The members shall be appointed from the applicants as follows:
(1) Nine citizen members who are not district employees:
a) two recommended by the Anchorage Council of PTAs;
b) two representatives from the minority community; and
c) five selected at-large.
(2) Two students recommended by the Student Advisory Board.
(3) Six employees of the District:
a) two principals: elementary and secondary;
b) two teachers: elementary and secondary; and
c) two librarians: elementary and secondary.
The Committee shall be a standing committee with members appointed to staggered two year terms. The Superintendent shall appoint an administrator as a non–voting chairperson for the committee.
6.
The Superintendent will develop guidelines for the Controversial Issues Review Committee. All meetings of the committee shall be conducted following standard parliamentary procedures in accordance with Alaska Open Meeting requirements.
7.
Upon completion of the review, the committee shall submit its report as an advisory report to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall submit a recommendation to the Board for consideration. The Superintendent must include the committee's recommendation in the transmittal to the Board. If the Superintendent's recommendation differs from the committee's recommendation, the Superintendent must explain the reason for the divergence.
8.
The committee must submit its report to the Superintendent within forty school days of the date on which a matter is submitted to it for review. All interested parties, including the complainant and committee members, shall be advised of the committee's and the Superintendent's recommendation prior to Board review and shall
have the opportunity to address the Board. The decision of the Board shall be final.
(Section 341.3 - Revised October 10, 1988)
(Section 341.3 - Revised October 14, 1991)
(Section 341.3 - Revised August 14, 1995)
(Section 341.3 - Revised September 28, 1998)
Anchorage School District
Controversial Issues Review Committee Members
2007-2008
| Name |
Representation/Other |
Amidon, Clara |
Teacher |
Carney, Tanya |
Citizen-at-Large |
Curran, Jim |
PTSA |
Dunsmore, David |
Citizen-at-Large |
Horn, Kyle |
Student Advisory Board (SAB) |
Hull, Brooke |
Principal |
Iagulli, Mary Jo |
Librarian |
Knapp, Christina |
Student Advisory Board (SAB) |
Morgester, Ann |
Coordinator, Libraries |
Owen, Damita |
Minority Community |
Pastos, Gina |
Principal |
Sabri, Ghodsie |
Minority Community |
Smith, Deanna |
Citizen-at-Large |
Stallworth, Davina |
Citizen-at-Large |
Sy, Grace |
Citizen-at-Large |
Zachary, Sheri |
Librarian |
Silverstein, Enid |
Facilitator/Curr. & Instr. Support |
|
.gif){kind=spacer}
