A “controversial issue” is defined as an area of significant academic inquiry about which substantial segments of the citizens of this community, state, or nation hold sincere conflicting points of view.

It is the belief of the Board that if controversial issues are to be discussed, they should be fairly presented in a spirit of honest academic freedom to the end that individual students may recognize the validity of other points of view but can learn to formulate their own opinions based upon dispassionate, objective, unbiased study and discussion of the factual bases underlying the controversy. The intellectual freedom of students and employees shall be protected; discrimination against students or employees based on speech shall not be permissible.

It shall be the responsibility of the instructor to present fully and fairly the opportunity and means for students to study, consider, and discuss all sides of controversial issues, including but not limited to political philosophy.

It shall be the responsibility of the instructor to protect the right of the student to study pertinent controversial issues within limits of good taste, allowing students to express personal opinions without jeopardizing their relationships with their instructors or school.

It shall be the responsibility of the instructor to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views, or selfish propaganda of any kind through any classroom or school device; however, an instructor shall not be prohibited from expressing a personal opinion as long as the student is encouraged to reach his/her own decision independently.

It shall be the policy of this District, with respect to controversial issues, to encourage instructors to lead full discussions thereof in a spirit of academic and intellectual freedom to the end that the student may learn that they have the right to disagree with the opinion of another, but have the responsibility to base their disagreement upon fact and at the same time respect the right of another to hold a conflicting opinion.

Before controversial issues are to be covered, the classroom teachers will confer with their building administrator.

Retaliation against individuals who file complaints related to this policy shall be prohibited and may result in disciplinary action. If the person who files a complaint for a violation of this policy is an employee of the school district, the provisions of section Iowa Code 70A.29 shall apply.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §279.73

 Cross Reference:
502.03 Freedom of Expression
503.30 School Publications
605.00 Selection of Instructional Materials

Reviewed:
June 16, 2003
January 20, 2014
March 25, 2019
June 20, 2021

Revised:
January 20, 2014
July 6, 2021