2521 - SELECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
The Board shall provide instructional materials and equipment, within budgetary constraints, to implement the District's educational goals and objectives and to meet students' needs. The primary objective of such instructional materials and equipment shall be to enrich, support, and implement the educational program of the school.
For purposes of this policy, the term "instructional materials" is defined as supplemental books, readings, activities, online resources, and media distributed by a classroom teacher to students for the purpose of teaching the course content in accordance with the Board-approved course of study (see Policy 2220 - Adoption of Courses of Study). Textbooks, as defined in Policy 2510 - Adoption of Textbooks, are not included in this definition or policy. Learning assessment materials designed or selected by the teacher, such as quizzes, tests, exams, worksheets, lesson plans, homework assignments, and the like, are not selected by the Board and therefore not considered instructional materials for purposes of this policy.
The term "instructional equipment" is defined as tools and apparatus used by a classroom teacher for the purpose of conveying the course content or by a student for the purpose of learning the course content. Examples of instructional equipment include, but are not limited to, computing devices, projectors, screens, smartboards, chalkboards/whiteboards, televisions, DVD/video players, overhead projectors, calculators, maps, microscopes, scientific laboratory items, balls, physical activity equipment, musical equipment, career and technical education tools and appliances, art apparatus such as kilns and easels, and the like. Expendable supplies with an expected lifespan of a school year or less, and purchased with a corresponding WUFAR accounting code in accordance with DPI regulations, are not considered instructional equipment.
Any concerns by the public regarding instructional materials and equipment shall be reviewed in accordance with Policy 9130 - Public Requests, Suggestions, or Complaints.
The Board does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected under State or Federal law including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex (including gender status, change of sex, or gender identity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability ("Protected Classes") in its selection of instructional materials and equipment.
The District Administrator shall develop administrative guidelines for the selection and maintenance of all instructional materials and equipment.
The District Administrator shall periodically provide for a systematic review by the Board of the District's instructional materials and equipment in order to ensure that they are appropriate for the current educational program. Any revisions that occur should be a result of the school improvement process.
Students shall be held responsible for the cost of replacing any materials or properties that are lost or damaged through their negligence.
The cost of materials may be charged for materials used in those activities beyond the basic curriculum in which a student elects to participate, particularly in Career and Technical Education courses, as well as courses such as Art, where the product becomes the property of the student.
Revised 4/22/13
Revised 4/13/15
Revised 12/4/23
© Neola 2023