Following a lengthy discussion that was notably respectful in a time of turmoil and infighting in the district, the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education approved Tuesday night a policy that will allow for the teaching of sex education in schools unless parents specifically opt out of the program.
Board Member Leonel Briseño cast the only vote against the policy after arguing that the board should also consider a proposal that would require parents to opt in to the program, rather than opting out. But district administrators pointed to a state statute that requires an opt-out policy.
Briseño’s vote followed numerous public comments that the opt-out policy would isolate students whose parents decided they would not participate in the program. That, they argued, would pressure those students to want to participate.
“It doesn’t allow for differing solutions,” Briseño said of the policy. “I will not support a policy that pushes something down other people’s throats.”
At issue during an hour-long debate was the fact that the use of contraceptives and birth control is taught along with abstinence in sex-education programs. Jerry Paz, parent of a freshman at
“Birth control is intrinsically evil. … Contraception is intrinsically immoral,” he said. “When you teach something that is contrary to my faith, you’re chopping me at the knees.”
On the other side, supporters of the policy citied a state health department statistic that 42 percent of teens in Doña Ana County said in 2005 they had engaged in sex. They argued that safer-sex education is necessary to help those children make smart choices.
They also argued that many children don’t have parents or religious communities who will teach them about abstinence or safer sex, so the schools must do it.
“If we don’t pass this health-education policy, we are turning our backs… on those kids that have nobody to go to,” said Board Member Gene Gant in explaining his vote. “I won’t turn my back on those children.”
Shirley Judson, who works with Planned Parenthood and teaches children about sex, said she has seen many students opt out of the program and has never seen them be stigmatized. She said the curriculum includes teaching that abstinence is the only certain way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
Because many students are having sex, teaching them how to be safer is also part of the curriculum, she said.
“We’re not teaching them how to have sex. We are teaching them how to stay safe,” Judson said.
The district’s administration is currently developing regulations that specifically outline the implementation of the curriculum in the schools.
Before the board’s vote, Briseño noted that community members shared widely divergent views for about an hour at the board meeting in a manner that has been unusual in a time of turmoil in the district. The board recently fired its superintendent, who was the third leader to leave amid scandal since 2001. The lack of stability has created deep divisions in the district.
Briseño thanked those who participated in the debate and the approximately 200 people who attended the meeting for their conduct.
“Never has there been the respect that was shown here tonight,” he said. “There wasn’t booing. There wasn’t the sighs. There wasn’t the disrespect that we hear so often when we have to talk about issues.”
“It was so refreshing to listen to a healthy debate,” he added.
There’s an even more controversial issue coming up that was referenced several times during Tuesday’s meeting. The district is currently developing a policy on the creation of student health centers in high schools. Board members will have to decide whether to allow the dispensation of condoms at those centers.
The board will discuss the policy at an upcoming work session.