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Jenison board approves changes to 7th‑grade reproductive health presentation after SEAB review
Summary
After two public hearings, the Jenison Public Schools Board of Education approved recommended edits to the district’s 7th‑grade reproductive health presentation, forwarding SEAB‑vetted language about sexuality and STI/STD definitions by a 6‑1 vote (NAY: Shannon Hogan).
The Jenison Public Schools Board of Education voted 6‑1 on Sept. 8 to approve recommended edits to the district’s 7th‑grade reproductive health presentation following a Sex Education Advisory Board (SEAB) review and public hearing process.
SEAB Co‑Chair Alana Kooi, co‑director of teaching and learning, told the board the committee focused its revisions on simplifying language for seventh graders, updating medical terminology and graphics, and consolidating slides to improve clarity. The committee reviewed two slides the board had previously flagged (Slide 4 and Slide 56) and voted to recommend specific student‑facing wording.
The committee’s recommended wording for the student materials included:
"Our Sexuality in More Detail Sexuality is about our male or female bodies, sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions, and behaviors toward other people. It's a natural part of who we are that develops as we grow up. But sexuality is also bigger than just feelings of attraction. It touches nearly every aspect of who we are‑from our attitudes and values to our experiences and how we see ourselves. It's like a puzzle with many pieces that make up the whole picture of you."
The SEAB also presented an age‑appropriate distinction between sexually transmitted infection and disease, citing federal guidance: "A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite people can get through sexual contact. A sexually transmitted disease (STD) develops because of an STI and the term implies that the infection has led to some symptom of disease," (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024), which the committee included in its recommended materials.
Board member Shannon Hogan raised concerns about the proposed definition of "sexuality," saying she had contacted a local organization that develops sex‑education curriculum used by other districts and stressing the importance of clearly communicating the purpose of the material to students. Hogan said she supported continuing to explore additional resources even while acknowledging the current curriculum was well developed; she cast the sole dissenting vote when the board approved the presentation changes.
Two members of the public who spoke at the SEAB hearing expressed appreciation for the committee’s work. Laurie Burks thanked the board for reviewing the materials thoroughly and emphasized aligning curriculum with reducing risky behaviors; Jason Lerg asked for more information about which outside curriculum providers are being considered and which districts use them.
The board’s approval implements the presentation changes SEAB recommended; board minutes show the motion was made by Dr. Chris Reed and seconded by Dr. Jennifer Griffin. The change was discussed in two publicly noticed hearings, as required by statute, and will be reflected in the district’s seventh‑grade instructional materials going forward.
Next steps: the district will incorporate the approved presentation updates into the 7th‑grade reproductive health unit and continue to review additional curricular resources as requested by board members.
