•  
    THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAGE IS TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ASKED BY RESIDENTS AND PARENTS REGARDING HOW ALACHUA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HANDLE OBJECTIONS TO MATERIALS FOUND IN A SCHOOL LIBRARY, IN A CLASSROOM LIBRARY OR ON A RECOMMENDED READING LIST.
     
    Who can place an objection to library materials?
    Parents of students currently enrolled in Alachua County Public Schools or a person who has been a resident of this county for one year can place objections to library materials.
     
    Is there a limit to the number of objections that can be made?
    There are no limits to the number of objections that can be made by a parent.
    Effective July 1,2024, a resident is limited to 1 objection per month.
     
    What is the procedure for filing an objection?
    Using the Citizen's Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form, the objection must be submitted in writing to the principal of the school where the book is located.
    If the objection is submitted by a resident, they could be asked to provide documentation that supports their residency.
     
    What steps are taken once an objection has been filed?
    District Library Advisory Council to review the objection during a regularly scheduled, bi-monthly meeting.  This meeting is publicly noticed without comment. 
     
    The District Library Advisory Council consists of:
    Director of Curriculum
    District Media Specialist
    Student Services Specialist
    Curriculum Specialist
    A parent of a student who has access to the material.
     
    The committee will review the objection and make a recommendation to the school board regarding its findings.
    If the objector is not satisfied with the recommendation, they can request a hearing conducted by an outside party to review their objection. Once evidence has been presented at the hearing, The Hearing Officer will make a recommendation to the school board.
     
    How are parents selected to serve on the District Library Advisory Council?
    Any parent interested in serving on the District Library Advisory Council can complete the Library Advisory Council Volunteer form (see link on right).  Parents are eligible if the book under review is held in the library where their child attends school.  It does not require the objection to have been filed at that school.  Once the list of eligible parents has been identified, they are randomly selected from the list.
     
    How can you tell the status of an objection - when it is being reviewed or what the recommendation was?
    All the information regarding challenged materials can be tracked from the Challenged Materials Spreadsheet. (see links on the right).
    This includes proposed meetings of the District Library Advisory Council, their recommendation, if the objector has requested a hearing and the date the board will review the recommendation.
     
    Is there an avenue for parents and citizens to express their opinion regarding an objection?
    All recommendations regarding challenged library materials must go before the school board for their final decision.  Parents and citizens can provide input during the public comment period when the action is being discussed by the board.  To do so, they must complete the citizen comment form prior to the action item being discussed during the meeting.  Citizen comment is limited to 3 minutes.  If the person placing the objection wishes to comment at this time, they must also complete the citizen input form but will be allowed 10 minutes to present their evidence to the board.
     
    Is the School Board's Recommendation final?
    Yes, once the board has ruled on an objection, the decision is final.  If the person who has submitted the objection feels that the policy for handling objections was not followed, they can submit a request to the Commissioner of Education that a special magistrate be appointed to review how the objection was handled.  The special magistrate will not overturn the decision of the school board.
     
    Who can request a special magistrate?
    Only the person who submitted the objection can request a special magistrate.  
     
    Don't see an answer to your question?  email duvalpk@gm.sbac.edu for assistance.