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Public urges comprehensive sex‑education; district says it awaits state review and approval
Summary
Multiple public speakers urged the board to defend comprehensive sex‑education curriculum. Superintendent said district submitted materials and expects feedback from the Florida Department of Education; the district cannot offer the curriculum until state approval is received.
Several public speakers at the March 18 meeting urged the School Board of Broward County to maintain comprehensive sexual health education in district classrooms and to press the State Department of Education to approve locally reviewed curriculum.
Dr. Trudy Germanovich told the board that curriculum materials had been evaluated by parent committees and urged the district to use its legislative time in Tallahassee to advocate for approval. "These curriculum materials have been evaluated and approved by several parent committees...I urge all of you to discuss this at the board meeting on how the district will make sure that students don't lose a valuable part of their education," she said, adding that a Florida statutory reference requires comprehensive health education that includes prevention of child exploitation and trafficking.
District officials said the superintendent's office has submitted reproductive/sexual health curriculum materials to the Florida Department of Education and is awaiting feedback. John Sullivan, chief communications and legislative affairs officer, said the district expected a response later in the week but cautioned that materials cannot be taught in classrooms until the state grants approval. "We do believe we will receive feedback later this week," he said, "but we cannot offer it until we get an approved curriculum."
Doctor. Hepburn confirmed that the district had received some feedback on K–5 materials but had not yet received final approval that would allow teaching the curriculum. District staff told the board there is no clear "Plan B" if the state denies approval; until the DOE approves a district curriculum the materials cannot be used in classroom instruction.
Public speakers framed the issue as a health and safety concern: they argued that accurate, developmentally appropriate instruction helps prevent exploitation and trafficking and urged the board to use its legislative advocacy to press the state for acceptance of materials approved by district parent committees.
No board action was taken at the March 18 meeting; staff said they would continue coordinating with the Department of Education and report updates to the board when received.
