Politics or parental choice? That's the question after Miami-Dade School Board reverses decision on sex-ed textbooks ban
MIAMI - The Miami-Dade County School Board has reversed last week's decision and voted 5-4 to allow health and sex education textbooks in middle and high school classrooms to comply with state requirements.
Last week, in a 5-4 vote, the board opted not to adopt the textbooks, even though the school board staff and an independent hearing officer had recommended the books. The School Board itself initially approved the textbooks in April.
Their July decision left no books for the curriculum, which is required by state law.
Those against the books said they objected to content from how to report abuse to contraception methods, calling some of it not age appropriate.
Board Vice Chair Dr. Steve Gallon III, who voted to approve the books, said they have received hundreds of emails from concerned parents this week, asking the board to reconsider and approve the books.
He believes those against "deduced [the materials] to a sexual conversation."
Gallon reviewed the materials himself.
He said the materials provide facts on HIV implications, human trafficking, AIDS, hygiene, how to report abuse and many essential life skills.
"No matter where you come from, from Florida City to County Line Road, children and young people need to understand this information," said Gallon. "We say education is power. We cannot render our children powerless by denying a segment of our school district access."
Based on a few conversations CBS4 had, there's a slight concern about political headwinds interfering with this educational process.
"I think it became very political on both sides, yes," said Dr. Marta Perez.
Board member Luisa Santos points to state law calling for annual comprehensive health and education reviews, which she believes will spur future debates. Discussions she does not want to see become politicized.
"It is my hope, although I'm concerned, that we will be able to continue to work on behalf of the students and not on behalf of any party," shared Santos.
Dr. Perez says she felt political pressure from both sides when assessing the curriculum.
"It's like chain letters that both sides seem to provide us," mentioned Perez.
On Thursday, the board pivoted.
"It has to do to comply with the education requirements," stated Chairwoman Perla Tabares Hantman in the special meeting.
She shared concerns about not being compliant with state requirements. She asked to rescind last week's vote rejecting the material. Hantman then changed her vote, changing course for the board to accept the hearing officer's recommendation to adopt the materials.
"Stood in solidarity, not with the board, but she stood for the children," said Dr. Steve Gallon III.
He is thankful for the outcome.
"This was more than sex," added Gallon. "Sex sells. Today was about the fundamentals of what we did need to do to provide life-saving skills to children."
Santos agrees.
"We heard from many speakers who shared very touching, moving stories, about how sex education, comprehensive education has helped them," added Santos.
Perez voted no, again.
"We're not really sure how this will be presented, and that's what I've been asking," said Perez. "This is what will be presented concretely."
Santos says the materials were available for review and the process transparent.
"To say there was no access to every line is unfair," added Santos. "Moving forward, I do think we have room for improvement as we move into a more digital, to say, OK, if you're a sixth-grade parent, you will only have access to this."
And state law provides parental choice to opt out. But Perez believes it should be opt-in.
"Many parents, especially the poorer ones, do not know those provisions," said Perez.
Amendments added following the outcome, CBS4's Joe Gorchow is told, ensure greater transparency. Every district middle school and high school parent will be notified of the materials their children will be exposed to.
Dr. Gallon tells CBS4 that the materials for parents to review should be made available with what he describes as deliberate speed.
