Carteret board approves Carter at Speak child-safety curriculum after debate over opt‑in consent

The Carteret County Board of Education on Oct. 7 approved a proposed Carter at Speak child-safety curriculum that teaches body safety and how to report abuse, with program leaders saying implementation will be opt‑in and include a 60‑day parent review period.

The curriculum, presented by Vicky Wenk, director of the Carter at Speak program, and therapist Andrea Gilligan, is intended for pre‑K through fifth grade. Wenk said the pre‑K through second‑grade lessons use visual illustrations and a simplified coloring book to teach safe, unsafe and unwanted touches and to identify safe adults. "Our curriculum focuses on teaching children body safety," Wenk said. For grades three through five, the program expands to cover body autonomy, healthy use of technology and secrets versus surprises, the presenters said.

Board members and community speakers raised questions about who should deliver the lessons, video content and parental consent. The program leaders said sessions would be delivered only to students with written parental permission (opt‑in), and recommended a 60‑day period for parents to review lesson plans, videos and materials before lessons are scheduled. Wenk said the pre‑K lesson is designed to be about 30 minutes and that teachers would remain in the classroom during presentations. She also said the program will provide an alternate activity for children whose parents do not give permission.

Several board members and meeting attendees said they support the program’s goals but expressed concern that opt‑in consent could limit reach because many cases of child abuse involve family members and victims may not be opted in. One board member said counselors already address this topic for some students but noted counselors are understaffed and that a single, consistent outside presenter may ensure uniform messaging across classrooms.

After debate, board member Wheatley moved to approve the program as presented; Chambers seconded. A motion to table the vote was offered by another member during discussion but the board voted on the original motion first; the motion to approve carried. There was no roll‑call tally recorded in the meeting transcript beyond the board saying the motion passed.

Carter at Speak representatives said the program has delivered similar lessons in Carteret County before COVID‑19 and in local day cares, and that the curriculum materials shared with the board had been revised after parent feedback. Presenters said the group uses videos such as "Joey learns the touching rules," coloring materials and teacher‑led activities to reinforce short, developmentally appropriate messages. They said staff training and school counselor involvement are part of the implementation plan.

The board set an implementation window that includes providing materials and links to parents and allowing a review period before lessons begin. The board did not adopt additional restrictions or amendments to the program during the Oct. 7 meeting.