Ariz. school district to allow time for Planned Parenthood opponents

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Attorney Natalie Decker regarding the agreement of Arizona’s Tempe Union High School District to allot time for representatives from 1st Way Pregnancy Center and Alliance Defending Freedom to speak at a Tuesday night committee meeting in opposition to Planned Parenthood’s proposal to teach sex education to children:

“Since sending our Jan. 6 letter, we have had the opportunity to speak with Dean Pickett, attorney for the Tempe Union High School District. Mr. Pickett has clarified both the role of the district’s Sex Education Curriculum Committee and the process by which the district intends to consider implementing any sex education curriculum it may approve.

“We are particularly grateful for assurances from the district’s superintendent that no decision has been made by the committee, the district, or its governing board and that the committee is at this time only reviewing several curriculum options, including options supported by Alliance Defending Freedom and its clients. Mr. Pickett also clarified that the committee’s role upon completion of its review is merely advisory to the district’s governing board, which will make any final decision on any curriculum adoption. In addition, he has advised us that no decision or recommendation has been made as to which individuals, whether from Planned Parenthood or otherwise, will offer sex education curriculum to the district’s students.

“While it has been our experience that Planned Parenthood seeks access to school districts with minimum communication to parents and thus ‘behind closed doors,’ we commend the district’s governing board and its committee for acting openly in compliance with Arizona’s Open Meeting Law and for enabling Alliance Defending Freedom and its clients to present alternative proposals for consideration.

“We also commend the district for the adoption of its Policy IHAMB, which comprehensively addresses the requirements in Arizona for a legally compliant sex education curriculum, and for the district’s assurances that it will comply with Senate Bill 1009 in this important matter.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.