[LM_NET] Challenged/Banned and Removal of Materials Board Policy Procedures

[Kelly Kelsoe <Kelly.Kelsoe@LCSK12.ORG>]

Our Board of Education has recently banned the book, Whale Talk, by
Chris Crutcher.  I have been communicating with Mr. Crutcher about this
and he has a response to this on his website if you all would like to
read it.

My county is attempting to reformat the way they are presently
conducting reconsideration of materials.  Presently, this is the
process:
1.  Form turned in by patron
2. Committee formed by principal
3. Committee reads, listens, reviews, to the material in its entirety
4. Committee makes a written report
5. Committee presents the report and verbal presentation to the board
6. Board is ENCOURAGED to read, listen, review, material
7. Board makes a decision to keep/ban material from entire county, not
just that school.

NOW>>>>>>> The proposed policy changes show the policy remaining the
same except that the Superintendent selects the review committee from
several schools since the decision of the board effects the county and
not just the one school.

Question:  Do any of you have a policy in place that requires the board
to read the material before it is banned?  Is it appropriate to approach
my powers that be with this suggestion?
It floors me that the committee can do all the work to research, read,
and make a recommendation, then a blind, ignorant board can vote it down
and remove material...

Thanks for listening.

Kelly Kelsoe
Elementary Library Media Specialist
Clements High School
Athens, AL  35611
Phone:(256) 729-6564 Ext. 329
Fax:(256) 729-1029
kelly.kelsoe@lcsk12.org

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