From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board revises policy for challenging instructional materials

The revisions newly limit the number of instructional items that a person can challenge at any given time to one

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday approved changes to the district’s process for challenging instructional materials in a way board members said will be less burdensome for district staff.

The policy being revised outlines the process through which KPBSD staff, students, parents or guardians and Kenai Peninsula Borough residents may make complaints about instructional materials used in the district. For both required and non-required materials, district policy says the item will be reviewed by an instructional material review committee.

The revisions to that policy approved by school board members on Monday newly limit the number of instructional items that a person can challenge at any given time to one. The district’s existing policy did not limit the number of items.

Further, the revised policy increased the amount of time that must elapse between when an item is reviewed by the district and when a new challenge can be brought against the same item. Previously, the district would allow reconsideration of a previously challenged item after one year. Now, an item may be reconsidered after three years.

Board member Jason Tauriainen, who represents Nikiski, tried unsuccessfully to amend the policy such that a person could challenge three, rather than one, item going through the district’s challenge process at a time. In proposing the change, Tauriainen said limiting challenges to one at a time was too restrictive.

“I don’t believe in somebody just bringing a list that they found and throwing a bunch of challenges in, so I do think there needs to be a cap, but I think one at a time is a little too restrictive,” Tauriainen said Monday.

Board member Penny Vadla said allowing each person to challenge three items at a time could prove burdensome for KPBSD’s librarians, particularly if the district is experiencing staff shortages.

“If we have future instances where we can’t fill our libraries with people who are certified to take care of it properly, then I think three could be problematic,” Vadla said.

It was initially unclear Monday whether or not board members had the authority to amend administrative regulations, however, KPBSD Administrative Secretary Nikkol Sipes ultimately determined they do. Board members voted 8-1 against increasing the number of challenged items per person from one to three, with Tauriainen voting in support.

Board members voted 8-1 in favor of the revised policy, with board member Matt Morse voting in opposition. Tauriainen said that, while he still thinks the one-item limit is too restrictive, he overall supported the proposed revisions.

Monday’s school board meeting will be available to stream on KPBSD’s BoardDocs page.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy orders freeze on state employee hiring, travel and new regulations due to fiscal crunch

Exemptions allowed for certain occupations and “mission-critical” purposes.

Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Celebrating the cycle of life

The annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration caps off the Salmon in the Classroom program.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
Homer woman sentenced for 2020 murder

Sarah Dayan was convicted in December for the murder of Keith Huss.

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough mayor proposes mill rate decrease in $180M draft budget

The budget also follows his “balanced budget philosophy” of spending increases at or below around 2.5% year-over-year.

Kenaitze Indian Tribe chemical dependency councilor Jamie Ball performs during a candlelight vigil marking National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls at the Raven Plaza, Ggugguyni T’uh, in front of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vigil recognizes missing and murdered Indigenous women on national awareness day

Alaska Native women are overrepresented in the populations of domestic violence and rape victims in the state.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy threatens unprecedented veto of education funds in budget unless his policy goals are met

Line-item veto could leave districts with less money for months; legality of such action is questioned

A scene from the PBS children’s series “Molly of Denali.” (WGBH Educational Foundation photo)
‘Molly of Denali’ and other PBS children’s programs on hold as Trump cancels funds

Emmy-winning Juneau writer of “Molly” says PBS told creators the series isn’t being renewed.

A few clouds disrupt the sunlight in downtown Juneau on an otherwise bright day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alaska ranks 49th, ahead of only Louisiana, in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States survey

State drops from 45th a year ago, led by large drops in opportunity and fiscal stability.

Most Read