Derby schools approve implementation steps for stateHouse Bill 2382; opt-out form available
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Summary
The Derby Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt local implementation measures for House Bill 2382 requiring a video on embryonic development be shown before lessons addressing human development; the district created teacher briefings and an opt-out process for families.
The Derby Board of Education on Oct. 13 approved local implementation steps for House Bill 2382, voting 7-0 to adopt procedures that district staff said ensure compliance while offering families an option to opt out.
District assistant superintendent Holly Putnam Jackson told the board the district has posted information on its website, met with teachers who teach human development topics and prepared an opt-out form for families who do not want their students to participate. "We have met with teachers that teach these courses, and then we have also created and shared an opt out form that families can use," Putnam Jackson said.
The measure carried by a motion from Board Member Kathy (moved) and a second (recorded in the minutes). The board vote was recorded as 7-0 in favor.
Nut graf: House Bill 2382 requires local school districts to show a video about embryonic development before any lessons covering human development; Derby Public Schools presented a local plan that includes teacher briefings, public posting and an opt-out process so families may exclude students from that portion of instruction.
In presenting the item, Putnam Jackson said the district prepared materials and an opt-out form and had shared the plan with teachers. No changes to core curriculum content were described at the meeting; Putnam Jackson framed the presentation as information and a request for the board to approve local implementation steps. Board members asked procedural questions but did not request substantive changes to the approach during the public session.
The board's action was limited to approving the district's local implementation steps; the district will continue to maintain the opt-out form and the online information. The motion and vote were recorded in the meeting minutes as passed unanimously.
Ending: The district said it will keep the public and staff informed through its website and teacher briefings. Families seeking to exclude a student from the video are to use the district's opt-out form.