The Board of Education recognizes that some deviation from the assigned curriculum guide is necessary in the free exchange of the classroom. However, the Board specifies for the guidance of the Superintendent and, through administrative directive, the guidance of the staff, that any discussion of controversial issues in the classroom shall be conducted in an unprejudiced and dispassionate manner and shall not disrupt the educational process; fail to match the maturity level of students; or be unrelated to the goals of the Board and the appropriate curriculum guide.

In the discussion of any issue, a teacher may express a personal opinion, but shall identify it as such, and must not express such an opinion for the purpose of persuading students to his/her point of view.

The Administration shall assist teaching staff members in developing techniques for the management of controversial issues which do not stifle a spirit of free inquiry.

The Board acknowledges that it may not adopt any policy or rule respecting or promoting an establishment of religion or prohibiting any student from the free, individual, and voluntary exercise or expression of the student’s religious beliefs. However, such exercise or expression may be limited to lunch periods or other noninstructional time periods when students are free to associate.

The Board also recognizes that a course of study or certain instructional materials may contain content and/or activities that some parents find objectionable. If after careful, personal review of the program lessons and/or materials, a parent files a complaint in accordance with Board Policy 9130 regarding either the content or activities that conflict with his/her religious beliefs or value system, the school will honor a written request for his/her child to be excused from a particular class for specified reasons. The student, however, will not be excused from participating in the course and will be provided alternate learning activities during times of such parent requested absences.

The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines for dealing with controversial issues and with parental concerns about program content or the use of particular materials.

R.C. 3313.601

Revised 10/28/02