An exploratory committee formed to examine which method of sex education should be taught in Columbus schools presented its findings to the district’s board of trustees Monday night.
The Starkville School District in October decided on an abstinence-plus curriculum for the 2012-2013 school year.
Then, school officials in Columbus and Oktibbeha and Lowndes Counties were still weighing their options. They have until June to decide on curriculum for sex education.
A committee composed of Columbus parents, teachers, principals, counselors, nurses and members of the community was charged with looking over abstinence-only and abstinence-plus curriculum.
Monday, Janet Lewis, public information officer for Columbus schools, said the committee recommend the abstinence-plus program.
“We feel this is what’s best for our district,” Lewis said.
According to Lewis, the abstinence-only curriculum promotes sexual abstinence until marriage and does not discuss the use of contraceptives or safe sex practices. Abstinence-plus promotes sexual abstinence until marriage and also provides information about contraceptives and sexually transmitted diseases and requires parental consent for students to participate, Lewis said.
The issue first came before the district in October 2011 after Mississippi House Bill 999 mandated school districts implement one of the initiatives. The bill was passed in March 2011, and districts have until June 30 to decide on a curriculum.
Dr. Martha Liddell recommended the formation of the committee to research which curriculum would most benefit Columbus students. Liddell, interim superintendent for Columbus Municipal School District, asked the committee to bring its findings before the board at a later date.
“We have a little while left to pass this, but we want to be able to apply for grant money to offset the cost of the program,” Lewis said.
The Mississippi State Department of Health has $2 million in grant funds to issue throughout the state to help implement sex education programs, said Lewis.
“We have to be proactive,” she said. “This is on a first-come, first-served basis and is decided by which tier the district belongs. The first tier is for the most at-risk districts. Our district is tier three. But if we receive the grant money, it will pay for all of the materials and it will pay for instructional costs. If we get this, it could mean the program could be at no cost to the district.”
The board voted unanimously to table the suggestion. Board members plan to finalize the decision at their next meeting.
House Bill 999 prohibits “any teaching that abortion can be used to prevent the birth of a baby.”
Additionally, it calls for students to be separated by gender into different classrooms when sex education is taught.
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