OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Sex education opponents have made a last-ditch effort to delay the Omaha school board’s rollout of textbooks and materials that will appear in health and sex education classes in the fall.
Omaha Public Schools staff presented their choices for curriculum materials that will teach students about puberty, birth control, healthy relationships and more, the Omaha World-Herald (https://bit.ly/1VImzrE ) reported.
In January, the board approved new standards for health and sex education. Parents and community members debated some of the curriculum’s new topics, including gender identity, sexual orientation, abortion and emergency contraception.
During public commentary on Monday, opponents said the district had already waited 30 years to change the curriculum, which hasn’t been updated since 1986. They argued that the board should take more time to review options to make sure the curriculum is age-appropriate.
“I suggest you slow the train down a little bit,” community member Dave Meyer said.
Board member Marian Fey said there’s no reason to for the board to push back adoption of the new curriculum. She added that teachers and nurses need time over the summer to review the new materials, and parents and community members have had enough time to share their views on the update.
Other opponents recommended the district adopt an opt-in policy for each family to actively grant permission for its child to take such classes.
“Opt-in honors the rights of parents and grandparents and gives those people the opportunity to decide if they want their children to sit in these classrooms before they’re accosted by some of this material,” said Vic Stevenart, a father and grandfather whose kids attended school in the district.
The board is scheduled to vote on the curriculum purchase May 16.
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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, https://www.omaha.com
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