Board reviews sex‑education policy, committee recommends Goodheart‑Willcox update and EverFi modules

Sandy, Utah — District staff presented the Canyons School District’s biennial review of sex-education instruction policy (Policy 600.05) on May 5, noting no major policy changes since 2018 and identifying two materials the district’s review committee recommends for middle- and high‑school adoption.

An instructional support administrator said the district follows an abstinence-first approach within health courses while also teaching STI prevention. The presenter noted that parental permission is required for students to participate in sex‑education instruction embedded in health classes or certain electives, and that the sex‑education instruction committee (administrators, health educators and parent members) reviews materials for medical accuracy and alignment to district standards.

Materials under committee review are the updated Goodheart‑Willcox human development and relationships text (2025 edition, to replace the district’s older 2017 edition) and an EverFi module (Character Playbook: Building Healthy Relationships) that can be delivered online or offline. The administrator said hard copies and district front‑desk access to digital codes will be provided for board and public review; staff aim to order approved materials by mid‑June to allow teacher training ahead of next year’s district training day.

Public‑health context: staff walked the board through county and state health data. They highlighted that chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI among 15‑ to 24‑year‑olds, that Utah’s adolescent birth rate is trending down (presenter cited a statewide rate decline from about 13.1 in 2018 to 8.2), and that congenital syphilis cases have increased since 2019. The presenter emphasized prevention strategies—consistent condom use, partner reduction and abstinence—but reiterated that district instruction frames abstinence as the primary message.

Discipline and safeguarding: staff reported seven incidents categorized as pornography in the district’s discipline dashboard for 2025–26 (three elementary, two middle, two high), and said the incidents were associated with personal devices rather than school Wi‑Fi; schools and staff continue to be a substantial reporting source to child-protective services (about 20% of reports).

Board members asked how the materials will be made available for review; the presenter confirmed both hard copies and digital access codes will be posted at the district office front desk and that parents will be notified before the materials appear on a consent agenda.

Next steps: the materials will be available for public review for a period to be announced; staff will bring the adoption to the board via consent agenda once public review is complete.