Funding challenges and new Michigan requirements have paved the way for changes in sexuality education.
At their Oct. 28 meeting, the Lake Orion Board of Education will vote on curriculum changes to include Crossroads Pregnancy Center.
According to the group’s website, Crossroads is a non-profit, Christian organization.
No one from Crossroads was available for comment.
Several years ago, the state mandated ‘sex education? be taught by a physician, nurse or certified health teacher.
In Lake Orion, the district had to drop the class in sixth and eighth grade because science teachers served as instructors, according to Jennifer Goethals, who is Blanche Sims? principal and is on the district’s sexuality education advisory board.
‘This tied our hands a little bit,? she said. ‘It used to be that science teachers could teach it. That is no longer the case. We were trying to seek out ways to increase the learning for students without incurring more costs or hiring more health teachers.?
Crossroads offered their services free of charge to the district, according to Goethals.
‘They’re going to have a nurse provide education for our students,? she said. ‘Their program is consistent with Lake Orion’s abstinence-based program.?
Goethals says she spoke with several parents who had concerns about Crossroads as a Christian group.
Boardmember Bob Gritzinger also asked for clarification with religion in the classroom.
‘Speak to how what they present will be appropriate in our schools,? he asked of Goethals.
Religion won’t be a part of the curriculum, according to Goethals.
?[They] understood that we need nurses and certified staff,? she said. ‘Crossroads has offered their services for free, and have been very successful in both Troy and Rochester community schools.?