5008 - Nonadopted Teaching Materials Review

5008 – Nonadopted Teaching Materials

Teachers and schools may select non-adopted supplementary teaching materials based upon appropriate educational value, prevailing community standards, and curricular relevance. All materials, including non-adopted instructional or supplementary resources, shall be maintained and used in compliance with applicable Utah law and Board rule, including LEA instructional materials selection and reconsideration procedures consistent with USBE Administrative Rule R277-628.

In the event the appropriateness and suitability of selected teaching materials is challenged, the following procedures shall be implemented to resolve the issue.

1. A complaint relative to school-used teaching material must meet the following standards to receive consideration:
   1. The complaint must be in writing.
   2. The complaint must be signed.
   3. The complaint must state the basis for the objection and include details relevant to state law, instructional standards, or sensitive material concerns.
2. Complaints will be referred to the principal. When a complaint is received, the principal will initiate a review committee consistent with the LEA’s instructional materials reconsideration procedures. The membership of this committee shall be:
   1. Two community representatives
   2. Two teachers
   3. Principal
   4. A district administrator or designee
   5. All committee members shall receive procedural training, and representation shall be documented per USBE minimum criteria.
3. The review committee shall proceed as follows:
   1. A period of time will be set for committee members to read or review the material under consideration. Each committee member is responsible to review the material in its entirety where printed matter or digital content is of concern.
   2. After review, the committee shall discuss the material and reach a decision based on at least the following criteria:
      1. Educational value
      2. Prevailing community standards
      3. Curricular relevance
   3. The committee shall report its findings in a timely manner.
      1. Appeals of committee decisions may be made to the Piute School District Board of Education through the Superintendent of Schools.

Appeal Procedure

In the event an appeal of the school-level decision is made, the following procedures will be implemented:

1. The appeal must meet the following standards to receive consideration:
   1. The appeal request must be in writing.
   2. The appeal request must be signed by the appellant(s).
   3. The appeal request must clearly state the basis for the appeal,
2. Appeal requests meeting the above criteria shall be processed as follows: The Superintendent shall convene an Appeals Committee whose membership shall include:
   1. Two community representatives
   2. Two teachers
   3. A district administrator/designee Appeals Committee shall be made by the Board of Education or it’s designee.
3. The Appeals Committee shall proceed as follows:
   1. A review period shall be set for members to read or review the material under consideration.
   2. After review, the committee shall prepare and deliver a written response of the appeal to the Board of Education.
   3. The Board of Education shall render a decision and convey that decision to the appealing party in a timely manner, and in accordance with applicable state law and USBE administrative rule.

Revised 2/10/2026