Complaints from Citizens: Challenged Controversial Curricular Materials 7-12.1

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Regulation 7-12.1

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Complaints from Citizens: Challenged Controversial Curricular Materials

1. Generally

   Instructional materials, whether course text, supplemental, or library materials prescribed as part of the required course curriculum, may be challenged by citizens who reside within Virginia Beach who do not have children in VBCPS This does NOT include ancillary resources selected by the student to supplement, enhance or extend learning.

2. Procedures
   1. If a citizen wishes to challenge instructional material as a part of the required course curriculum, he/she must submit the request in writing, stating specific evidence and concerns, to the CAO.
   2. The CAO or designee will review the request and contact the complainant to discuss the concerns within 5 school days.
   3. The CAO will then notify the complainant of his/her decision within 10 school days.
   4. If the complainant desires further action, such as removal of the material from the School Division’s curriculum, the CAO or designee will provide the form "Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials" for the complainant to complete.
   5. The complainant will send a completed “Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials” form to the Chief Academic Officer within 3 school days. Upon receipt of the completed form, the Chief Academic Officer will establish elementary and secondary standing committees to review requests for reconsideration of materials.
   6. The committee will assess the material and submit a written response to the Chief Academic Officer within thirty-five (35) school days.
   7. The Chief Academic Officer will inform the Division Superintendent of the committee's decision within five (5) school days of receipt of recommendation.
   8. The Division Superintendent will notify the Chief Academic Officer of his/her decision to accept or overrule the recommendation. The CAO will notify the complainant of the committee's decision within five (5) school days of receiving the Division Superintendent’s decision.
   9. The decision of the Superintendent is final and no further appeals are available.

Approved by Superintendent: July 16, 1991
Revised by Superintendent: August 14, 1993
Revised by Superintendent: August 26, 2014
Revised by Superintendent: July 12, 2022