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How to Voice a Concern
About Inappropriate Books
in Your Child’s School

1) Start with the School Principal

Bring the book to the attention of your child’s school principal.

Be prepared to:

  • Bring the book to the attention of your child’s school principal.

    Be prepared to:

    • Cite specific passages, themes, and/or page numbers
    • Focus on:
      • Age appropriateness
      • Educational relevance
      • Parental expectations
    • Request a formal review, not a ban
    • Maintain a professional, calm tone
    • Avoid political arguments or labels
    • Avoid exaggerated or speculative claims

2) Engage the PTA

Speak with the Chair of the PTA and ask whether you may present your concern to the PTA membership.

This helps demonstrate that the concern is:

  • Thoughtful
  • Community-based
  • Not a one-off complaint

3) Contact Your School Board Member

Discuss your concern directly with your district’s school board member.

Be factual and reference the school’s materials review policy if possible.

4) Email the Superintendent

Send a formal email to the Superintendent, copying:

  • Your School Board Member
  • Your School Principal
  • The PTA Chair (if applicable)

This ensures transparency and documentation.

5) Sample Email

Subject: Request for Review of Library Material

Dear Superintendent [Name],

I am writing as the parent of a student enrolled in the [Grade] at [School Name] to formally request a review of a book currently available in the [school/library/classroom].

Book title:
Author:
Location/access point (library, classroom, digital, etc.):

After reviewing this material, I believe it is inappropriate for inclusion in a public school library accessible to students due to its content. Specifically, the book contains material that is not age-appropriate and raises concerns regarding [explicit sexual content / graphic descriptions / ideological advocacy / profanity / other—be specific].

This material is accessible to students without parental notification or restriction.

Examples of concern include:

  • [Brief, factual description of specific passages or themes]
  • [Page numbers or chapter references, if possible]

My concern is not about restricting ideas generally, but about ensuring that materials made available to minors in a publicly-funded school setting are suitable for their developmental level and consistent with the district’s stated policies regarding instructional and library resources.

Parents have a reasonable expectation that school-provided materials will align with community standards, educational relevance, and age appropriateness. I respectfully request that this book be reviewed under the district’s formal materials review process and that appropriate action be taken based on that review.

Please inform me of the next steps in this process and any opportunity for parental input during the review.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


[Parent of student at ___ School]
[City, State]

6) Acknowledgment

The district should acknowledge receipt of your complaint—typically within several business days.

This acknowledgment may come from:

  • the superintendent’s office
  • a curriculum or library administrator

You should keep this response for your records.

7) Temporary Status of the Book

Once a formal complaint is logged:

  • the book may be flagged, or
  • access may be temporarily restricted during review

If the book remains accessible, make note of it.  Do not argue about removal yet.

8) A Review Committee Will Be Established in Accordance with Policy 5047

A review committee will be appointed to evaluate the material and issue a recommendation to the Superintendent.  The committee will consist of:

  • Two LCPS instructional administrators
  • Two LCPS school-based employees
  • Three LCPS parents within the school level of the request

Recommendations could include:

  • retain without restriction
  • retain with age or access restrictions
  • relocate to a different grade level
  • remove from the library

9) Final Decision 

Following the recommendation, the final decision is made in writing by the Superintendent, within 45 business days of receipt of the formal complaint. 

10) Appeal to the School Board

The decision of the Superintendent may be appealed to the School Board.  The appeal must be made within 15 business days of the Superintendents’ decision.  Appeals are strongest when they focus on:

  • failure to follow policy
  • procedural errors
  • lack of consideration of cited concerns

Avoid re-arguing ideology or intent.

Bottom Line 

This 10-step process:

  • respects school procedures,
  • preserves parental credibility, and
  • maximizes the likelihood your concern will be reviewed seriously.
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