State Ed Board Postpones Further Development of Health Standards

Sept. 3, 2021, midnight ·

Members of the Nebraska State Board of Education
Members of the Nebraska State Board of Education at a meeting Friday (Department of Education screenshot)

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The Nebraska State Board of Education voted Friday to postpone further development of proposed health education standards.

The standards, particularly those dealing with gender identity and sexual orientation, had sparked controversy and pushback since they were first proposed in March. Board member Lisa Fricke referred to that in reading the resolution to postpone further action.

“The State Board of Education received substantial input on the draft of the health standards, and recognizes that now is not the time to continue the process,” Fricke said.

The resolution mentions that schools are under continuing pressure dealing with the pandemic. Board member Patsy Koch Johns expressed frustration that the debate over the standards had been politicized, and promised that the issue would come back in the future.

In public comments following the vote, supporters of the standards said postponing them would hurt students by denying them knowledge that could help prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and suicide. Among those supporting the standards was Melanie Coronado Amaya.

“I heard that right now, it is not the appropriate time to talk about these standards. But if not now, then when? When is it the right time? Postponing any movement on the standards is a regressive and dangerous move,” Coronado Amaya said.

Other members of the public said the standards should not be considered again, and that parents should be responsible for sex education. Among those speaking against the standards was Scott Guthrie, pastor of Riverdale Christian Church.

“There will never be an appropriate time to sacrifice the innocence of Nebraska’s children on the alter of proposed comprehensive sex education,” Guthrie said.

In a written statement, Gov. Pete Ricketts applauded the board’s action, but advised opponent to “remain vigilant” because the standards could be reintroduced any time.

There is no state law that requires health education standards, but the Nebraska Department of Education says health education is the only content area that doesn’t have some sort of template provided to school districts.