OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – The curriculum committee of the Oil City Area School District’s School Board is set to review and discuss six sexual exploitation awareness and sexual harassment prevention curricula proposals in the committee’s public meeting on June 12 at 5:00 p.m.
The proposals are in response to a public notice the district posted requesting other options following a public battle with parents over the curricula that was in use until March— We Care and Sexual Abuse Free Environments for Teens (SAFE-T), published by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont and taught by PPC Violence Free Network.
Some parents objected to the curricula due to what they have characterized as “indoctrination of their children,” and criticized the board and administration for “its lack of transparency in implementing the programs.”
Parents also complained the school did not have a formal opt-out process for their children.
Four parents were the most vocal critics of the board and administration: Dan and Devin Aaron, Theresa Dominique, and Joe Klapec. Devin Aaron subsequently ran for a seat on the school board, making it through the primary election earlier this week.
In their public request for proposal, the district asked interested parties to provide “developmentally appropriate lessons to students in grades 3 to 8 on topics related to child exploitation awareness and sexual harassment prevention.”
The district asked that the lessons be limited to six 40-minute sessions per school year and include “information pertaining to boundaries, consent, feelings, respect, and trusted adults.”
According to the request, submissions were due my May 1st.
Six submissions were received by the school board:
- Child Lures Prevention/Teen Lures Prevention
• Materials only - PPC Violence Free Network
• We Care Elementary
• SAFE-T - Promise of Life Network
• Healthy Relationships Today Program
• Carrington’s Wild Character Adventure (CWCA)
• Building Healthy Futures from Creating Positive Relationships
• Presenter from Promise of Life Network - ChildHelp Speak Up Be Safe
• Materials only - The Center for Relationship Education
• REAL Essentials
• Materials only - Choosing the Best
• Materials only
According to the plan that was put forward by the chair of the curriculum committee, Mark Kerr, the committee will discuss the proposals and listen to presentations during their June 12th meeting at 5:00 p.m.
A formal discussion and vote by the entire school board will take place on July 17.
Following the vote, the school board will post the results for public review from July 18 to August 28.
The district will then provide an exemption from instruction opportunity following the board’s policy code 105.2, which can be read on the school district’s website.
Board and committee meetings are typically held at the Oil City Area School District’s administration building at 825 Grandview Road. When attendance is expected to be higher that can be accommodated, meetings are held in the multipurpose room at Hasson Heights Elementary School, which is just across the parking lot.
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