Contraception education is now officially part of Collier County School District’s sex education policy.

The Collier County School Board approved changes to the district’s health education policy by a 3-2 vote Thursday night. Board members Pat Carroll and Steve Donovan dissented.

The district’s old policy read that the curriculum should address an awareness of the benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the consequences of teenage pregnancy. But a majority of board members thought that policy was too vague.

School Board member Richard Calabrese, who hoped to have the new policy adopted before he leaves office next month, got his wish. The revisions that Calabrese brought forward add, among other things, that the curriculum should address the concepts of contraception. Teachers had been free to teach contraception in their sex education classrooms but some board members felt they may shy away from it because it was not part of the official policy.

School Board members also decided to add language from School Board Attorney Jon Fishbane that the district’s comprehensive health education curriculum shall be one that is attentive to responsible thinking and decision-making to enhance the student’s health and life and that of society.

But many community members were upset because the revisions to a proposed policy and first reading took place in September during a special workshop. School Board Chairwoman Kathleen Curatolo said she received a copy of a letter from a group called Concerned Citizens of Collier County who objected that the second and final reading of a health education policy were taking place on a Thursday evening.

The letter, which was addressed to Chief Administrative Officer Mary Ann Gemmill, said the group believed that the first reading never included a “continuous, uninterrupted reading” of the policy. Furthermore, the group believed that the board did not circulate or post the final policy changes until Nov. 3, which was less than 28 days before Thursday’s meeting, required by law.

The Collier County School District, however, posted the policy with revisions from Calabrese and Fishbane the day following the Sept. 29 workshop, according to Daily News records. However, Curatolo discussed changes to the syntax and other parts of the policy.

But Fishbane told the board members Thursday that they were well within their rights to move forward with the policy.

Donovan said he did not believe the board followed proper procedure when composing the first reading.

“Mr. Calabrese’s portion was his second policy change. I never saw it before the meeting. All I am asking is that you delay this for one month,” he said. “Give the public a chance to read it. I agree that there were not substantial changes to the policy, but there were changes.”

Calabrese said the district did advertise it, as was confirmed by Fishbane.

“What more can we do to bring it to the public than craft it here?” he asked. “If people didn’t see it in the paper, that is not our fault. Our attorney has told us it is fine. We shouldn’t give credence to something just because someone doesn’t agree with us.”

Some members of the audience were suspicious of the board’s motives.

County Commissioner Tom Henning said he did not believe the policy should be approved Thursday.

“I feel like there is an agenda to push this through and I don’t comprehend that,” he said.

Naples resident Frank Schwerin has an idea why the board might be looking to pass a sexual education policy revision so quickly.

“This is a lame duck School Board. Jan. 1, Mr. Calabrese leaves. That’s the hurry. Because this might not get passed with a new School Board member who is appointed by a conservative governor. If this goes until January, there is less than a 50/50 possibility that this would be passed,” he said.

Betty Ford, however, was in favor of it.

“I hope you support this policy and vote for it. I have seen the ramifications of a good policy. Our students thrive,” she said.

When it came time to speak their minds, board members offered up different opinions on the issue.

Donovan said he did not support the changes, but appreciated that his colleagues left the abstinence piece in the policy.

Calabrese chastised community members who said it should be the parents’ job to teach students about sex.

“We’re only asking you, please do your job,” he said. “Something’s wrong here, ladies and gentlemen. We are not teaching our students what to do. ... Once you have chlamydia, it’s a problem because you are going to transmit it.”

Board Vice Chairwoman Julie Sprague expressed surprise at the number of community members who felt the policy had been “sprung” on them.

“This subject first came up in July. We have talked about it extensively since then,” she said. “The language in the policy is changing, not the intent of what the policy said.”

If those opposing the policy hope Donovan will revive it when Calabrese leaves the board, they’ll be out of luck, he said Thursday.

“It’s to bed,” Donovan said. “If the administration comes up and says this needs a proper review, I would bring it forward again. But once we have made a decision, we move forward as a team.”

Florida statute requires schools to mandate a health course that teaches students the benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the consequences of teenage pregnancy.

The curriculum must also emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity is a certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Collier County schools teach sex education at both the middle and high school levels.

At the high school level, students have to take one credit in physical education to include the integration of health education. The course contents include abstinence as the only sure protection, lessons about the male and female reproductive systems, breast and testicular self exams, pregnancy and fetus development, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, blood borne pathogens and birth control.

In addition, the school must provide question boxes for students to ask questions anonymously. The teacher has discretion in answering questions and they are answered directly and honestly or researched by the teacher and students. On-site school nurses are also available to all secondary students to answer questions.

Parents may choose to opt their children out of the lessons if they choose.

Donovan said he did not support the changes, but appreciated that his colleagues left the abstinence piece in the policy.

Calabrese chastised community members who said it should be the parents’ job to teach students about sex.

“We’re only asking you, please do your job,” he said. “Something’s wrong here, ladies and gentlemen. We are not teaching our students what to do. ... Once you have chlamydia, it’s a problem because you are going to transmit it.”

Board Vice Chairwoman Julie Sprague expressed surprise at the number of community members who felt the policy had been “sprung” on them.

“This subject first came up in July. We have talked about it extensively since then,” she said. “The language in the policy is changing, not the intent of what the policy said.”

Sprague said with all of the outrage, she believed the district needed to form a policy subcommittee to review changes like this. Curatolo agreed and said after the meeting she would bring up the issue with Superintendent Dennis Thompson.

But if those opposing the policy hope Donovan will revive it when Calabrese leaves the board, they’ll be out of luck, he said Thursday.

“It’s to bed,” Donovan said. “If the administration comes up and says this needs a proper review, I would bring it forward again. But once we have made a decision, we move forward as a team.”

Florida statute requires schools to mandate a health course that teaches students the benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the consequences of teenage pregnancy.

The curriculum must also emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity is a certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Collier County schools teach sex education at both the middle and high school levels. At the middle school level, health education is taught for 10 days in science classes beginning in the sixth grade. The curriculum, which includes a text previewed and selected by a committee of teachers, administrators and community members, teaches students that abstinence is the only sure way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and pregnancy. The curriculum also addresses the reproductive systems, the use of condoms and sexual decision making.

At the high school level, students have to take one credit in physical education to include the integration of health education. The course contents include abstinence as the only sure protection, lessons about the male and female reproductive systems, breast and testicular self exams, pregnancy and fetus development, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, blood borne pathogens and birth control.

In addition, the school must provide question boxes for students to ask questions anonymously. The teacher has discretion in answering questions and they are answered directly and honestly or researched by the teacher and students. On-site school nurses are also available to all secondary students to answer questions.

Parents may choose to opt their children out of the lessons if they choose.

Article by KATHERINE ALBERS