Parents press board for written clarity on state health education framework and parental opt-outs

Rochester Community School District Board of Education

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Summary

Public commenters urged the board to provide written guidance on how the new state health education framework will be taught, and a trustee moved to add a resolution on parental rights and local control in health education to the agenda.

Parent and resident speakers at the meeting said they have not been given adequate opportunity to review the new state health education framework and called for clear, written procedures for parental review and opt-out.

Shirley Frasier said the framework mixes scientific topics with "belief-based concepts about gender identity" and asked the board to clarify how families can review materials and opt children out, not merely receive verbal assurances. "It simply says, be transparent, be clear, respect parents," Frasier said.

Earlier in the meeting Trustee Lacui moved to add a resolution on parental rights and local control in health education under new business; the motion was supported by Trustee Lausanne. The Board President asked proponents to explain why the resolution needed to be added at tonight’s meeting.

Commenters asked that the district explain exactly how state requirements and local policy would interact and requested written procedures for parental access to curricula and opt-out mechanisms. The transcript does not record further board discussion or a vote on the requested resolution during the supplied segments.