The Gresham‑Barlow School Board on June 18 approved an updated comprehensive health education plan and reviewed district materials intended to increase community access and communication, including an online opt‑out form.

District staff said a planning committee composed of parents, teachers (elementary and secondary), administrators, education assistants and other stakeholders met twice to align the district plan with state laws and rules. Staff referenced Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) and Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) as the regulatory framework directing required content. The committee reviewed scope and sequence for lessons at elementary, middle and high school levels, revised the parental opt‑out procedures and prepared FAQs and a clickable sandbox website with the draft plan, standards and opt‑out materials.

Presenters demonstrated that the opt‑out would be available as a Google form on the district site, printable for a paper submission option, and offered in multiple languages. Staff said the opt‑out is an annual process, that parents may opt out of specific lessons rather than the entire unit, and that buildings plan supervised alternative instruction (typically in a library or similar supervised space) to preserve student confidentiality and provide learning alternatives during opt‑out periods. The district also intends to encourage parent‑teacher communication as part of the process.

A motion to approve the updated comprehensive health education plan passed by voice vote. Board members asked staff to post the website and materials after the board preview and to return with implementation details where appropriate.