Jenison Board Approves Changes to 7th-Grade Reproductive Health Presentation After SEAB Review

The Jenison Public Schools Board of Education on Sept. 8 voted 6-1 to adopt presentation changes to the district’s 7th-grade reproductive health unit following two public SEAB hearings and committee review.

Alana Kooi, co-chair of the Sex Education Advisory Board and Co-Director of Teaching and Learning, told the board the committee’s edits focused on plain-language explanations for seventh graders, corrected slide labels (including the uterus and uterine lining), consolidated redundant slides and updated certain medical terms with input from medical professionals. Kooi presented the committee’s recommended phrasing for one slide, which the committee voted to forward to the board: “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 committee also proposed language clarifying the difference between an infection and disease, citing public-health 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.” That wording in the packet cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the source.

Board members discussed the changes before the vote. Board member Shannon Hogan said she was concerned about how the presentation framed the term 'sexuality' and said she had consulted a local sex-education curriculum provider to compare approaches; she urged clearer explanation of the material’s purpose for students. Two public commenters — Laurie Burks and Jason Lerg — thanked the board for careful review and asked for information about other curricula used by nearby districts.

The change approved on Sept. 8 was the result of the SEAB’s review and comes after the district followed the state-required public-hearing sequence. The vote was 6-1 (NAY: Shannon Hogan). Board materials state the district will continue to review additional resources and provide context when presenting biological information.