Instruction Resources & Reconsideration Committee

During the Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, school board meeting, the Board of Trustees reviewed and approved a revised version of policy EF(LOCAL) regarding instructional resources. 

Parent and Employee EF(LOCAL) Reconsideration Committe

Current parents of HPISD students can complete this form to indicate interest in serving on a 2025-2026 Reconsideration Committee. In the event reconsideration committees are formed, parents will be chosen at random from the list of those indicating interest. 

Per EFA (LOCAL) and EFB(LOCAL), reconsideration committees shall consist of at least seven members. The chair shall be a District-level administrator and a non-voting member. The remaining committee members shall consist of an equal number of District staff and parents who are not employed by the District. Parents/guardians who serve on a reconsideration committee shall have students enrolled at campuses with the grade level in which the challenged resource is being used.

Committee members can choose to discontinue their participation at any moment. The administration will work to accommodate the schedules of committee members. This form will close on September 12, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Deputy Superintendent Dr. Shorr Heathcote at heathcs@hpisd.org.

Book Challenges

The following resources have been formally challenged for review. Once a challenge review committee has been formed, information about the resource will be posted below. 

Resource Challenged	Author	Date Challenged	Level	Status	Decision	Board Appeal
The Witch Boy	Molly Knox Ostertag	3/1/2024	Elementary	Completed	Retained
The Witch Boy	Molly Knox Ostertag	3/1/2024	Int/Middle	Completed	Retained
All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto	George M. Johnson	3/7/2024	High School	Completed	Retained	Removed
Ho’Onani: Hula Warrior	Heather Gale	4/1/2024	Elementary and Int/Middle	Completed	Retained
Throwing Strikes	R. A. Dickey	10/3/25	Int/Middle	Completed	Retained

 

FAQ

How do I know if a book is being challenged?

A: HPISD will update the website as challenge forms are received. To view the list of challenged books, please view the list above.

Q: What is an instructional resource?

A: Per policy EF(LOCAL), an instructional resource refers to textbooks, library acquisitions, supplementary resources for classroom use, classroom libraries, and any other instructional resources, including electronic resources, used for formal or informal teaching and learning purposes.

Q: What is a library material?

A: Per policy EF(LOCAL), library materials are those specific instructional resources that include printed and electronic library acquisitions and other ancillary or supplementary materials maintained by a campus library.

Q: Who can challenge an instructional resource?

A: A parent or guardian of a District student or an adult student enrolled in the District shall be permitted to formally challenge any instructional resource in use or approved for use on the basis that it fails to meet the standards set forth in EF(LOCAL) policy.

Q: How can I join a reconsideration committee?

A: The Reconsideration Committee for the 2025–2026 school year has concluded. Information regarding the next committee cycle will be shared at a later date.