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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha's board of education has approved an update to sex education standards after months of debate.
The board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the new standards in elementary and middle schools. For the high school standards, one board member opposed.
The move marks the first time this curriculum has been updated in nearly 30 years.
Updated standards include discussions of sexual orientation and gender roles, as well as abortion and emergency contraception. It also includes lessons on social media, bullying and harassment.
Those topics had previously been excluded from the curriculum, and students who asked questions pertaining to those topics would be referred to a school counselor.
The new model still stresses that abstinence is best for preventing pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases.
With a full board room Wednesday, the board voted to limit testimony to one hour. More than 30 people signed up to speak in support or in opposition of the curriculum updates at the meeting. Ten of the 13 people who testified opposed the changes.
A public meeting in October regarding proposed changes to the sex education standards ended after shouting and shoving broke out between supporters and opponents of the update.
"These are challenging conversations, and certainly you see that with some of the activity that's taken place," Superintendent Mark Evans said last week. "And by the way, this is probably why it's been 30 years since this has been talked about."
Vice President Yolanda Williams said that "Some of this goes against my own beliefs, but sometimes we have to take a step out and look at what's best for all."
The board will vote again in the spring on a new curriculum based on the approved updates, and materials to purchase for the updated curriculum. New lessons are expected to be implemented in the fall.
At the meeting, officials outlined a communication plan to help inform families about the new standards and curriculum. Parents can opt their children in or out of human growth and development classes.
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