Save Sex-Ed In Our Schools

Public comment on the superintendent budget curtailment proposal was on the agenda for tonight's school committee meeting. One of the more controversial cuts suggested is to temporarily freeze the Family Living Coordinator position in order have that person fill in as a Health teacher at Lincoln Middle School. Currently that Health class is taught by a substitute. Freezing the program would save an estimated $45,000 in costs for the school district (the savings for not paying for a substitute salary and benefits). It is anticipated to reinstate the Coordinator for the next year, however this won't be the only year that our School Committee will face tough budget issues. It's anticipated that next year's budget will look worse and any program cuts that happen now will set a precedent for cuts in the future.

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Wednesday, January 14 2008


To the Portland School Committee,

My name is Jenna Vendil. I am a Portland resident and the Field Director for The League of Young Voters. When I heard that the School Committee is considering a cut to the Family Living Program, I met with several parents with kids in Portland schools to hear their perspectives about this issue. A few of the parents were completely appalled that we continue to consider a cut to this program, year after year. Others felt that the Family Living Program is important but with this year’s budget curtailment, the superintendent’s proposal sounds like a reasonable solution. Yet, all the parents I’ve talked to admit to a certain privilege to raise their children knowing that as parents, they could talk to them about sexuality and reproductive health as they develop into adulthood.

This is why I’m speaking to you tonight. I was raised in a strict Catholic family where dialogue on sex and reproductive health was taboo. It didn’t help that my mom was a single parent who worked two or three different jobs at a time to support my sister and I. If religion or cultural awareness wasn’t a barrier to accessing information on reproductive health and relationships, certainly my mother’s availability to have these conversations was. I am grateful to have a sex education curriculum at my elementary school to help navigate my development as a child to an adult.

This is why I’m encouraging the School Committee to protect the Family Living Program as it is.

The League took this position because the superintendent’s proposal as it stands, negatively impacts the health of our youth. The proposal will take away a trained professional and in their place we will have untrained, and possibly unwilling, teachers to implement vital curriculum for youth.

The League believes that youth deserve access to quality health and sexuality education and instruction supplied by their local schools. The Family Living Program as it stands, does so and much more. Having this program with trained professionals implementing it ensures equity in education for youth who otherwise wouldn’t be able gain access to this information through their parents or health care providers. It provides comprehensive, quality, fact-based education on reproductive systems, abuse prevention, and awareness about choices youth must face when it comes to sexual activity.

I’m asking you to vote against any changes to the Family Living Program. I know in this year’s budget provides a challenge to our schools; but this is one investment in our future we cannot afford to cut.


Thank you,

Jenna Vendil