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Board previewed Family Life Education curriculum; public hearing set for September with opt-out process
Summary
Staff presented an 89-page Family Life Education (FLE) pacing guide and lesson plans; the board was told materials will be posted for review, a public hearing is planned in September, and opt-out forms will be sent in October. Staff emphasized alignment to VDOE standards and SHAB review.
Clarke County Public Schools staff presented the Family Life Education curriculum framework on Aug. 25 and announced a public review period and a September public hearing ahead of a board vote.
"We plan to have a public hearing, and approval from the school board in September," said Patrick Hausman, co-chair of the Family Life Education committee. Hausman described a timeline of work that began last October: teachers and administrators reviewed VDOE materials, completed modules, and created a curriculum skeleton that was iteratively expanded, reviewed by the School Health Advisory Board (SHAB), and revised based on feedback.
Staff said instructional teams compiled an 89-page pacing guide and full lesson plans, linked digital resources where possible, and made hard copies of vendor materials (Second Step kits) available at the central office. They stressed the division interpreted some state indicators as "required" for local implementation and reminded parents that the state requires an opt-out option.
"If the parent chooses to opt a student out of that lesson, they still have that autonomy to do so," Hausman said, noting that teachers will provide alternative, meaningful lessons for students who opt out.
Staff said they reviewed external curricula for topics such as human trafficking and that some resources are available at no cost. Renee (staff) will send a link to the full curriculum with an online feedback form so community members can review materials before the September hearing. Staff plan to send opt-out forms to families in October and roll FLE lessons into the academic year thereafter.
Board members thanked staff for the work and urged community members concerned about the content to review the posted materials.
What happens next: The board will accept public comment during the September hearing; staff will collect feedback from the posted materials and make adjustments before a formal vote.
