At 7:30 p.m. the telephone rings at school board member Joan Anderson’s home. The caller identifies himself as a member of the local press who is inquiring about a rumor in the community that a group of parents are upset with an English teacher at the high school. The rumor he reports is that the teacher has refused to allow students to write about their political opinions regarding the Iraqi war. The reporter further states that a group of citizens is planning to attend this week’s school board meeting to express their concerns that the teacher is controlling student rights to free speech protected under the First Amendment.
Joan explains to the reporter that she was unaware of the concern. She further explains that it is the right of parents and students to question instructional practices by making them known to the teacher and the administration. School board involvement would follow deliberations by the administration, and would pertain to the policies set by the board appropriate to this topic. She further advises the reporter to contact the superintendent or high school principal for their comments.
Joan calls the superintendent early the next morning to advise him of the inquiry and to ask what procedures and policies she should be aware of in the event this issue comes before the board during Wednesday’s meeting. He advises her that this is the first he has heard of the issue and that he will get back to the entire board with backup information after speaking with the high school principal. He further advises that questioning of educational materials and practices, due process for staff and students, and personnel policies all are involved in this matter.
What policies does your district have that are relevant to this topic?
Does a teacher have legal rights to control the content of assigned work?
What personnel policies should the board be aware of during the meeting?
How should the board respond to public concerns raised at the meeting?