Wait for the Facts

Recently, a neighbor told me that her daughter, the mother of six children, had told her that our school district is proposing giving condoms to fifth-graders. I asked her where her daughter received her information from, and she wasn’t sure.

At this point, I personally called Debbie Sandland, who is a Simi Valley school board member. She reassured me that it was indeed a rumor, and asked me to give her phone number to anyone who was receiving this misinformation so she could calm their fears. She also told me she would be willing to hear their suggestions on how to educate our youth about appropriate sexual behavior and AIDS awareness. She hopes to get a broader consensus of her constituents so she can better represent them.

Debbie Sandland also made me aware of a committee on sexual education that has been formed. It is made up of approximately 20 individuals who are a cross-section of our community. I was told that abstinence is on the list of recommendations from this committee and will be taught and stressed. I have also been reassured that if any parent disagrees with any part of the sexual education program, they can exempt their child from the teachings.

This confirms to me that rumors can spread like a brush fire. If you are in doubt about an issue, go directly to the source before telling others. The group that is attempting to recall school board members seems a little premature and misinformed to me. They seem to be the judge, jury and verdict of proposed ideas on sexual education before the committee has even presented its suggestions to the school board.

Why don’t they wait until they have all the facts before they upset our children’s school harmony?

DONNA PRENTA

Simi Valley