Previously approved sex-ed course rejected by District One Governing Board

FOX 9's Adam Klepp spoke to concerned community members about the curriculum

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - An opt-in only, after-school sex education curriculum has been rejected by the Yuma District One Governing Board, after originally approving it in January.

The course details drew a lot of concern from parents and local leaders.

A petition to end the programs was signed by over 500 people, including City Councilmember Gary Knight, State Representative Tim Dunn, and Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.

The petition was started by Tanya Wright.

She says elements of the curriculum were not appropriate for kids.

“They were going into pleasure-based, and other sexual acts, that were not necessarily for children those ages to know yet," Wright said.

When the curriculum was brought back for another vote this month four board members voted against the curriculum, including Keith Ware.

He says even though the program was opt-in only, meaning parents decided if their children received the course, it still did not belong in district one schools.

“There wasn’t enough transparency as to what was in the material, and the consent form,” Ware said.

Ware says even though the curriculum was approved in January, no District One students were taught the material.

Tanya Wright says middle school courses should stick to academics.

“As a community, come together and protect our kids, schools are here for academic focus, so let's focus on the academics,” Wright

District One school administration had no comment as of June 23rd on the removal of the curriculum.

Yuma Union High School District says students had received sex-ed courses as part of freshman health in the past, but it will not be offered this coming school year.