Dear Newark Public Schools,

This is a request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
Records requested:

1. The procedures developed by the Superintendent for the review and evaluation of textbooks and instructional materials that may be used or that are already in use in the schools, as required by Newark Board of Education Policy titled “For Evaluation and Selection of Instructional Materials.”

2. All documents related to the review process conducted by teaching staff members pursuant to Newark Board of Education Policy (“For Evaluation and Selection of Instructional Materials”) regarding the book “A little Piece of Ground” by Elizabeth Laird, including but not limited to teaching staff’s written reviews of this book.

3. The administrative rules developed by the Superintendent which outline the procedure for selecting instructional materials, as required by Newark Board of Education Policy titled “For Evaluation and Selection of Instructional Materials.”

4. All requests, suggestions, and complaints presented to the Board of Education, the Superintendent, and/or any other school or district official (pursuant to Newark Board of Education Policy File Code 6161.2 – “Complaints Regarding Instructional Materials”) regarding the inclusion of “A Little Piece of Ground” by Elizabeth Laird in the curriculum.

5. All district responses to such requests, suggestions, and complaints.

6. All documents regarding the Superintendent’s decision (pursuant to Newark Board of Education Policy File Code 6161.2 – “Complaints Regarding Instructional Materials”) to include “A Little Piece of Ground” by Elizabeth Laird in the curriculum.

Yours faithfully,
Elisabeth Schwartz

Dear Newark Public Schools,

Please let me know the status of this request.

Yours faithfully,

Elisabeth Schwartz