Plymouth School Committee Moves Forward with Comprehensive Sex Education Amid Heated Community Debate
PLYMOUTH - December 1 - The Plymouth School Committee heard from dozens of residents on both sides of a contentious debate over comprehensive sex education for eighth graders, ultimately reaffirming support for the new curriculum while committing to greater transparency after concerns were raised about parental access to materials.
The Full Story
The December 1st meeting of the Plymouth School Committee drew a standing-room-only crowd as the district’s new comprehensive sexual health curriculum for eighth grade students took center stage. Over 20 community members spoke during an extended public comment period that lasted more than 90 minutes, with residents expressing sharply divided views on the appropriateness of the program.
The curriculum, which had been paused in October following initial concerns, represents the first time Plymouth middle schools have taught sexual health education in approximately 15 years. Jenna Sorensen, PE and health department head for grades K-8, presented the updated program alongside Assistant Superintendent Dr. Stacey Rogers, explaining that the three-lesson curriculum covers human anatomy, reproduction, healthy boundaries and consent, and understanding and preventing STIs.
Transparency Concerns Take Center Stage
A recurring theme throughout the evening centered on transparency and parental access to curriculum materials. Kathy and Arthur Bom Conselho described significant difficulty in reviewing the curriculum, with Kathy recounting that it took over a month to schedule a two-hour appointment to view printed materials in a binder format, and that she was told she could not photograph pages to share with her husband due to copyright restrictions.
“Why is this so hard for parents to access this curriculum?” Kathy asked, describing how some printed text was too small to read easily and questioning whether school committee members had reviewed the materials in their entirety.
Brian Fitzgibbons, speaking on behalf of families concerned about the program, stated: “Massachusetts public record law is clear, parents have the right to photograph public records, including curriculum materials, for personal use. Copyright restrictions would only apply for the commercial reproduction or distribution, not to a parent documenting what’s being taught to his or her child.”
In response to these concerns, Sorenson and Dr. Rogers clarified that all lesson summaries and videos are now available on the district website, and the administration committed to posting complete lesson slides in PDF format, with regular updates and clear notifications to families when changes are made. School Committee member Christina Bryant emphasized the importance of this shift: “I was entering tonight’s conversation very concerned in regards to the transparency. Hearing that we’ve pivoted and have made curriculum just as accessible as me learning common core math when that program and curriculum changed, I think that’s great.”
Support for Comprehensive Education
Many speakers, including parents, educators, and healthcare professionals, voiced strong support for comprehensive sex education, citing research showing such programs delay sexual activity, reduce teen pregnancy and STI rates, and teach critical concepts like consent and healthy relationships.
Anna Melillo, identifying herself as a former rape crisis counselor and niece of a sex crimes prosecutor, stated: “I have seen that there are severe dangers of children not knowing vital information that is taught in a responsible health education program. Predators and their lawyers take advantage of ignorance. A lack of knowledge of consent, a lack of knowledge of what constitutes sex acts, has been shown to severely delay or silence survivors from reporting.”
Kendra O’Brien, parent of an eighth grader, argued: “The CDC confirms that quality sex ed helps students develop skills and knowledge needed to navigate sexual development and reduce risk behaviors. To withhold factual information until high school is to leave them vulnerable.”
Brian Foy cited research from the Journal of Adolescent Health showing that sex education outcomes include “dating violence prevention, the development of healthy relationships, improved social and emotional learning, increased media literacy, it actually delays sexual activity, increases contraceptive use, and reduces teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection rates.”
Michelle Westerling, a health education teacher in another district and Plymouth parent, shared anonymous questions from her own middle school students, including “What should you do if someone asks you for nudes?” She noted: “Over half of teens are exposed to online pornography by 7th grade, but less than half of teens have had a conversation about pornography with a trusted adult.”
Opposition Based on Age-Appropriateness and Content Concerns
Opponents of the curriculum focused primarily on concerns about age-appropriateness for 13 and 14-year-old students, the specific content of videos from sources like Amaze.org, and the role of parents versus schools in teaching sexuality.
Jessica Fitzgibbons objected to the inclusion of videos from Amaze.org, stating: “I never thought that I would be speaking at a school committee meeting pleading with adults to not feed children a source that encourages sexual exploration, the use of pornography and masturbation.” She cited specific videos on the website that discuss pornography and contraception, arguing that even removed videos remain accessible on the site once students are directed there.
Sandra Brogan questioned the necessity of the program, asking: “Our emphasis should be on teaching the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic. Sex education should be scientific and factual, not encouraging having sex, not getting people turned on looking at some of these materials.”
Belinda Brewster argued for parental primacy, stating: “It is the parent’s responsibility first to teach their children their own morals. The other parents shouldn’t force their opinion on people who go to church and who want to live in a better society than the one that we have now where it’s okay to tell 13 year olds, do what you feel.”
Dr. Jennifer Cocio-Thompson, a pediatric nurse practitioner who teaches at Northeastern University, acknowledged that “sex ed belongs” but expressed concern about comprehensive sex education versus traditional programs: “What you have right now in the high school is not comprehensive sex ed. You have a traditional sex ed program. What we’re talking about is changing lanes, changing programs.”
Curriculum Details and Opt-Out Policy
Sorenson provided detailed information about the curriculum development process, explaining that a team of six teachers worked over three months, consulting with Lighthouse Health and Wellness Consulting and Partners in Sex Education, and reviewing materials from local districts. The program is based on Massachusetts health standards that were updated in 2023 for the first time since 1999.
The curriculum consists of four topics covered in three health lessons: climate setting and boundaries, human anatomy and the menstrual cycle, reproduction and contraception, and healthy boundaries and consent. A fourth component covers understanding and preventing STIs, focusing on risk behaviors rather than detailed descriptions of individual infections.
Sorenson emphasized that the curriculum addresses consent in age-appropriate ways: “We discuss the age of consent as being 16, but we talk about refusal skills and what consent means, not how to consent. It is about personal boundaries.” She also clarified that “there are absolutely no videos on pornography or masturbation” in the curriculum, and that videos from Amaze.org are embedded in slides with no ads shown and nothing popping up at the end.
Parents have the right to opt their children out of all or part of the sexual health instruction at any time, as long as notice is provided one week prior to lessons. Parents may also request to view the complete curriculum. According to Dr. Rogers, 14 students (out of the eighth grade class) have opted out as of the meeting date.
Sorenson noted that all lessons are taught by licensed health educators at both middle schools, and each lesson ends with an anonymous question box where students can submit questions that will be answered “in a timely, factually, and appropriate manner.”
School Committee Response
School Committee members expressed support for the curriculum while emphasizing the importance of improved transparency and communication with families.
Ashley Shaw, who revealed she had her daughter at age 18 while a Plymouth South High School student, stated: “I have a little bit of knowledge about why this is important.” She addressed concerns about the Amaze.org website by noting: “If you are connected to the school Wi-Fi right now and you try to access Amaze.org, it’s a blocked site. Your kids cannot access it here at Plymouth Public Schools.”
Katherine Jackson said she had reviewed the curriculum with families on both sides and looked at all videos and statistics: “In looking at all the statistics, it is clear that a comprehensive curriculum made people feel included, reduced STIs, reduced teen pregnancy and the states that did not have that type of curriculum had the most increase in teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.”
Paul Samargedlis questioned the use of videos, suggesting: “Is there any thought to, I looked at the videos... could we teach it without the videos and still get the outcome and maybe do something groundbreaking where put away your devices. Let’s get off the train of misinformation.” However, he emphasized his support for the educators, asking Sorenson if she felt supported and stating: “Budget and policy are our charges as a school committee. But it’s also, there’s no fault in caring.”
Luis Pizano, committee chair, summarized: “I really appreciate all the work you’re doing. I appreciate so many people willing to speak up on different viewpoints. I think it’s important work. I support the work you’re doing, but I want to make sure that parents have that ability to see the materials, review the materials, and make informed decisions for their families.”
Plans for Expansion
The administration announced plans to expand the sexual health curriculum to include grades six through eight for the 2026-27 school year. This expansion will involve a team of teachers and administrators and will be more comprehensive and scaffolded. The district plans to include topics such as online safety and sex trafficking, and will hold a parent information session at the beginning of next year before implementation.
Other Meeting Business
The school committee also addressed several other matters during the lengthy meeting:
Substitute Nurse Compensation: The committee unanimously approved increasing the daily rate for substitute nurses from $125 to $150 per day. Director of Health Services Carilyn Rains reported that the district’s pool of substitute nurses has dropped to just five, making it difficult to cover absences, field trips, and other needs. Rains noted that surrounding districts pay substitute nurses between $200-$250 per day or $35 per hour, making Plymouth’s rate uncompetitive. Several committee members expressed support for even higher increases in future budgets, with Samargedlis noting: “$25 an hour for someone who’s going to have that type of responsibility in a school environment. Has there been any thought to be a little more competitive?”
Budget Update: Business Administrator Adam Blaisdell presented the first quarterly budget report for FY26, covering July 1 through November 20. The district has expended just under $25 million for salaries and just over $6 million for non-salary expenses, with $88 million currently encumbered. Blaisdell noted that column change requests (salary increases for teachers who earn additional credentials) have already reached $394,000, approaching the budgeted amount of $440,000 with another round of changes expected in January. The cafeteria program showed a profit of $173,000 through November. The FY27 budget is being developed within the town’s guidelines after initial projections came in slightly over 4%, with Superintendent Chris Campbell characterizing the budget as “lean.”
MSBA Update: Superintendent Campbell reported that the Massachusetts School Building Authority board of directors will meet on December 12 via Zoom to consider Plymouth’s school building project. The district is awaiting notification of the meeting time and Zoom link.
Graduation Requirements: Campbell shared that the state’s graduation council released interim recommendations earlier that day, including seven elements for a new statewide graduation requirement: programs of study aligned with higher education admission, state case course assessments, capstones or portfolios, MCAS completion, completion of FAFSA or MAFSA financial aid applications, financial literacy components, and options to earn state seals of distinction. Final recommendations are expected in June 2026, with implementation likely several years out to give districts time to prepare.
Retirements: The committee recognized three retiring educators: Kathryn Riley, nurse educator at Federal Furnace Elementary (9 years of service); Lou-Anne Conroy, biology teacher at Plymouth South High School (14 years); and Mary Raymond, science teacher at Plymouth North High School (18 years). All three will work through the conclusion of the current school year.
Student Reports: Student representatives reported on numerous activities across both high schools, including Plymouth North’s white coat ceremony for 37 biomedical science students, a VEX Robotics League championship, and the annual Thanksgiving game at Fenway Park where Plymouth North defeated Plymouth South in overtime. The schools’ cook-off challenge raised over $14,000 and 300 canned goods for Eagles Assist, which helps Plymouth district students and families.
Why It Matters
The debate over comprehensive sex education in Plymouth reflects a broader national conversation about the role of schools in teaching sensitive topics and the balance between parental rights and ensuring all students have access to information that can protect their health and safety. With research showing that comprehensive programs reduce risky behaviors and teen pregnancy while abstinence-only approaches correlate with higher rates of both, the stakes extend beyond ideology to measurable health outcomes for young people. The district’s commitment to improved transparency and maintaining opt-out rights seeks to bridge these competing values, while the expansion planned for next year ensures this conversation will continue. For Plymouth families, the resolution means eighth graders will receive sexual health education for the first time in over a decade, with parents having clear access to review all materials and the ability to opt their children out if the content conflicts with family values.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve a field trip to Providence Bruins. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 2:20:07)
Motion: To approve revised substitute nurse compensation, increasing daily rate from $125 to $150 for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 2:35:25)
Motion: To approve the Consent Agenda as presented, including resignations, classified appointments, medical leaves, and personnel reports. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 2:56:36)
Public Comment
Public comment dominated the meeting, with over 20 speakers addressing the comprehensive sex education curriculum for eighth graders. Supporters emphasized research showing such programs reduce teen pregnancy and STI rates, teach consent and healthy boundaries, and provide critical information to students who may not receive it at home. They cited CDC and WHO studies, noted that predators exploit ignorance about consent and sexual activity, and stressed that parents can opt their children out while not denying education to others. Opponents focused on age-appropriateness concerns for 13-14 year olds, questioned specific curriculum content including videos from Amaze.org, emphasized parental responsibility for teaching values, and raised transparency concerns about difficulty accessing materials for review. Several healthcare professionals, educators, and parents spoke on both sides. A recurring theme was the importance of parental choice and the opt-out option. Some speakers also raised concerns about religious influence in schools, while others emphasized faith-based values. The discussion reflected deep community division on the topic while demonstrating strong engagement from residents on all sides.
What’s Next
The district will post complete lesson slides in PDF format on the website with disclaimers that curriculum may be updated. Administration will continue the eighth grade sexual health curriculum with ongoing opportunities for parents to opt out with one week notice. Planning for curriculum expansion to grades six through eight will begin in spring and summer 2026, with a parent information session scheduled for the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. The MSBA board will meet December 12 via Zoom regarding Plymouth’s school building project. Substitute nurse rate increase takes effect immediately. Quarterly budget reports will continue, with the next report expected in approximately three months. The superintendent will provide information on local districts’ sex education programs for comparison. The next school committee meeting will include FY27 budget presentation on December 15.