After a year of debate the Tempe Union governing board passed a sex education curriculum Wednesday night.
Board members and parents on opposing sides can agree that they aren’t fully satisfied with the adopted sex education program. Community members, parents, grandparents, former students and many others spoke for more than an hour about their feelings on the curriculum.
Parent Beth Brizel said she’s is voicing her opinion because this decision affects her child.
“There are many people that have spoken that do not have children in the district or that many not even live in the district. If they don’t live in the district they are not your constituents, and you know what, to me their opinions do not count and you should not take that into consideration," Brizel said. "They are not your constituents, they did not vote for you, they cannot vote for you, do not listen to them.”
The program adopted is called the Family Health and Sexual Health Curriculum. The governing board approved a version of the program with adaptations to include differing opinions. Most of the disagreements were about when pregnancy begins and discussion on contraceptives and birth control.
“I wish there was a way we could make everyone perfectly happy. But as you see tonight this is just a sample of the differences of our values in this community," said board member Sandy Lowe. "And I do believe that this district has made every effort to move to a middle ground which very good for our students and it’s a beginning point.”
The board passed the curriculum as an opt-in program. This means parents have to sign a letter allowing their kids to take the class.
