Scott County School District 2 board keeps existing curriculum, declines Life Smart Youth program

At its meeting, the Scott County School District 2 board voted to keep the district’s existing curriculum rather than adopt the Life Smart Youth program, after board members raised concerns about whether parts of the material were appropriate for younger students.

One board member moved "to not approve the curriculum and just continue with the education that we have currently," saying they had watched the proposed videos again and heard parent concerns about content for fourth- and fifth-grade students. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Superintendent Doctor Dighton told the board the Life Smart Youth materials were not created by district staff but were state-provided content that the district was being asked to approve or decline. "This is not something that was created by our administration... This is just on here because it's either not approved or approved," he said, noting the district had to review it before any wider implementation.

Members who opposed adopting the program said they valued parts of the material but wanted more time to evaluate age-appropriateness and to ensure the district’s current counselors and staff could continue providing instruction aligned with community expectations. Supporters of keeping the current program pointed to existing in-district resources and counseling staff as adequate to meet students’ needs.

The board did not schedule further action on adopting the Life Smart Youth materials at this meeting; the decision was recorded as a voice vote and no roll-call tally was entered in the transcript. The meeting then proceeded to other agenda items and adjourned later in the session.