NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – In a school board meeting with guests packing the room, several spoke out against some portions of a new proposal for Nebraska’s youngest. Gothenburg Public School held a regular school board meeting on Monday evening. Of the several concerned citizens (a nurse, a father, and a concerned citizen to name a few) only one person spoke in favor of new health standards being considered for public schools across the state.
A quick Google search defines “Comprehensive Sexuality Education” as a “rights-based and gender-focused approach to sexuality education, going beyond information, helping young people to explore and nurture positive values regarding their sexual and reproductive health.” This topic and the proposed Nebraska health standards are up for debate across the state, facing the state board, as well.
Governor Pete Ricketts has been on record saying proposals include, “age-inappropriate content, non-scientific, and political ideas….placed into curriculum standards.”
The continued theme at the Gothenburg School Board meeting was parents wanting content including sexual expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation out of the classroom (particularly concerning early-age learning), and left to be taught by parents.
The Gothenburg School Board heard from the community for about one hour. The board is withholding from a vote on Comprehensive Sexuality Education of their students until the Nebraska State School Board makes a decision.
Currently, Nebraska law does not require sexuality education in school. It is decided locally. Nebraska law does not limit or say what can or cannot be taught. Currently, The Nebraska Department of Education recommends that schools emphasize an abstinence approach, including telling students that “sexual activity outside of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects.”
