Public commenter urges written notice and greater parental notification on human sexuality instruction

Heather Cherry addressed the Fayette County Board of Education during the public-comment period on July 28, urging the board to retain a requirement for "written" parental notification for human sexuality instruction and to exercise caution about classroom materials and district displays.

Cherry said the updated policy language crossed out the word "written" in one place and proposed leaving only a general notification requirement; she asked the board to keep "written" notification for parents when the district offers courses, curricula or programs on human sexuality. "I think that word written needs to stay in there," she said. Cherry also said the policy allows classroom responses to student questions about human sexuality and expressed concern that the policy lacked a clear definition of which historical figures or contexts would be used when discussing the subject.

Cherry raised separate concerns about mentoring classes and displays she considers supportive of LGBTQ identities, stating she had observed a banner in the district main building beyond June and believed mentoring classes and social-issue content should be removed from schools. "You can't celebrate LGBTQ month and you cannot celebrate those that decide not to have [sex]," she said. Cherry identified particular concern for single-parent households and said she wanted the district to prioritize parental notification and protection for those students.

Her remarks were part of the public-comment segment; the board did not take action on policy language during the public comment period on July 28.