Local control eroded
With the passing of Senate Bill 5629 our legislators have taken away another piece of our freedom. In the past our sex education programs were given some general state guidelines, but the communities and local school boards determined the best programs for their schools. A more conservative community could have a more conservative program and a less conservative community could have a less conservative program. The programs were developed with significant community volunteer input, and they worked well.
It appears that SB 5629 has opened the door for the state to contract our sex education programs to agencies involved in “family planning information and assistance.” This will very probably be the programs offered by Planned Parenthood, and these are not good for our kids or our communities.
This type of heavy-handed legislation is very disappointing to those of us who have been actively involved in developing solid programs for our children.
Wayne K. Stewart
Otis Orchards