Parents, Residents Can Challenge School Materials Under New JCPS Policy

SMITHFIELD — Johnston County parents, teachers and residents will have a new process for challenging books and other materials used in public schools.

The Johnston County Board of Education approved revisions to two policies during its Oct. 13 meeting, bringing the district’s rules in line with new state requirements.

The policies cover textbooks, classroom materials, digital resources, library books and other supplementary materials available to students.

Under the new challenge process, a parent of a JCPS student, a district teacher or a Johnston County resident may file a written challenge with the Board of Education.

A challenge can allege that material is obscene or profane, inappropriate for the age, maturity or grade level of students, or — except for library books — not aligned with the state course of study.

Challenges will be reviewed by a community media advisory committee.

The committee must include principals, teachers and school library media coordinators representing elementary, middle and high schools, along with two parents.

Within two weeks of a challenge being filed, the committee must hold a hearing where the person challenging the material can present concerns.

The committee then has two weeks to make a recommendation to the Board of Education on whether the material should remain or be removed.

The school board will make the final decision at its next meeting after receiving the committee’s recommendation. Under the policy, the board’s decision cannot be appealed.

Parents also have broader authority over what their own children can borrow from school libraries.

A parent may identify specific books, or categories of books, they do not want their child to borrow. Those restrictions will automatically be granted.

JCPS schools must also provide an online searchable catalog showing the library books available at each school.

The policy provides a separate process for parents who simply want to see materials being used with their child.

Parents may submit a written request to a principal to inspect instructional or supplementary materials. Schools generally must provide access within 10 business days. For larger or more complicated requests, the district may extend the deadline to no more than 20 business days from the original request.

The accompanying selection policy says instructional materials must be aligned with state standards and appropriate for students. Supplementary materials are also evaluated for accuracy, educational value, quality and their contribution to a range of viewpoints.

The policy states materials may be removed from school collections only for legitimate educational reasons and within First Amendment limitations.

The changes follow a new North Carolina law requiring local school boards to establish community media advisory committees and formal procedures for challenges to instructional and supplementary materials.

The state requirements took effect July 1 and apply beginning with the 2026-27 school year.