School Board to Vote on Sex Ed Change Tonight

The Board will vote on a change to the district's freshman sexual education curriculum at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at

At the board's to the board in exchange for the current Abstinence-Only curriculum. 

According to the staff presentation, the current mandatory health education courses prohibit staff from discussing birth-control related information with students. Carla Johnson, executive director of teaching and learning, said many parents have asked that the policy be changed, pointing to a district survey that revealed 82 percent of respondents want Abstinence-Plus to be taught.

Abstinence-Plus would still carry the same amount of information regarding abstinence being the only barrier to contracting sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy; however, an additional lesson would be taught on birth control and contraceptives.

The change would also allow teachers to discuss matters with students that they currently can not. Johnson stressed that at no time would demonstrations be performed related to contraceptives, and students will be able to opt out of the lesson, just as they are with the current curriculum. 

If the board approves the change, staff has asked that it become effective this school year.