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Parent tells Mid Valley board she was given just three days to opt out of 'Safe Touches' workshop
Summary
A parent raised concerns at public comment about a non‑permission opt‑out for a 'Safe Touches' program for kindergarten through third grade, saying she received three days to review curriculum and opted her child out; board members said they would work on providing materials with permission notices.
During public comment at the January Mid Valley School Board meeting, Jessica Dutter said her second‑grade daughter was enrolled in a 'Safe Touches' program under a non‑permission notice that required parents to opt out rather than sign to opt in. "They gave me three days to get the curriculum," Dutter said. "I opted my daughter out of it. That was my main issue."
Dutter said she supports sex‑abuse‑prevention education in principle but objected to the short notice and lack of curriculum materials. "I feel like she's maybe a little too young," she said, adding that when the district sent only a number to request the curriculum, she did not receive it in time.
Board members and administrators who responded acknowledged the concern and said the district would work on providing materials with permission notices in the future. One board member said parents could be provided more detailed information when permission materials are distributed; another board member said they trust the administration "not to put kids in any weird situations." The chair asked Dutter to remain after the meeting to provide contact information so staff could follow up.
No formal motion or policy change was made at the meeting; the exchange ended with the board indicating it would examine how permission notices and curriculum materials are distributed.
