Pasco’s School Board assures parents sex ed will reflect local values

PASCO, Wash.-- Washington lawmakers recently passed a Comprehensive Sex Education bill that has many parents concerned about the explicit content included in the three OSPI-approved curriculum options for teaching sex ed starting as early as Kindergarten.

Parent Katie Rios addressed the Pasco School Board at its meeting Tuesday night, expressing concerning about the legislation, and asking how it would impact sex eduction for students in Pasco.

"Some of us have kids in the district, some of us have had kids in the district-- I have grandkids in the district, so it's a big deal to us as well," said board member Steve Christensen. "Pretty sure that there's not going to be a lot that's going to change significantly with this board here."

School board president Amy Phillips agreed with Christensen's comments, saying "as a board, we will work to make sure we reflect the values of the local community."

Superintendent Michelle Whitney said she spent time Tuesday digging into the legislation for the first time, and has received a guidance document from OSPI. She also spent time talking with other superintendents in the area.

She told the board that she plans to put together a thorough analysis of how the new legislation impacts the school district, and she'll provide that analysis to the board at its next regular meeting on February 25th.

Hundreds of parents plan to take part in a rally at the state capitol in Olympia Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at noon to encourage Gov. Jay Inslee to veto the legislation.