Reliance on abstinence-only education could change
BY Jason Emerson
The Cazenovia school board plans to review and possibly rewrite the district’s current health curriculum policy regarding how it teaches reproductive health to students.
District policy currently allows only the teaching of abstinence in regard to reproductive health and does not allow teachers to discuss contraception in any form. This limiting of discussion on the issue of reproductive health is one that many district parents have recently been concerned about, and that concern has reached the ears of the district administration and Board of Education.
The district’s current policy on teaching reproductive health to students has not been revised since 1994.
“It’s an issue that’s out there now, being talked about,” said Maureen Carroll, dean of students, during a presentation to the school board during the body’s Nov. 19 regular meeting. “I think any policy from 1994 needs revision.”
Board President Jan Woodworth said she and district Superintendent Matt Reilly have discussed the issue and are considering having a community forum on the policy and its potential revision before the school board’s policy committee works up a draft revision.
The issue will likely be discussed at the next board meeting on Dec. 17.
Also at the Nov. 19 meeting, the board approved the holding of a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11, in the High School’s Buckley Gymnasium. concerning the district’s proposed 2020 Capital Project and the public vote to be held on the project’s two propositions on Dec. 18.
The first proposition is for a $15 million capital project, phase I of the district’s long-range facilities plan, which includes renovations and upgrades for the Emory Avenue Complex and Burton Street Elementary School. The second proposition is for the establishment of a capital reserve fund to be used for these renovations and additions.
Information about the project, including project scope and funding details, will be discussed at the public meeting, and will also be regularly provided and updated on the district website and made available in school lobbies, mailed to residents and communicated across the district’s social media channels.
Polls will be open for the Dec. 18 vote on the proposed capital project from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the middle school auxiliary gym, 31 Emory Ave. Cazenovia.
