The Highline School District's proposed upgraded policies on sex and AIDS education were introduced at the board's Feb. 27 meeting.

The policies reject abstinence-only sex education and say condoms offer important protection for sexually active youth.

Board members are expected to adopt the policies with suggested amendments on March 12.

Parents and community groups are also encouraged to participate in the planning and review of the curriculum.

The policy states "curriculum materials shall promote a respect for values and beliefs held by individuals from different cultures."

It also recognizes "that values held by families of different cultures may result in requests to participate in our program to varying degrees."

Highline's health, family life and sex education policy allows parents to withdraw their children from the classes.

Sex education classes, depending on grade level, will "include information about abstinence and other methods of preventing un-intended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Abstinence may not be taught to the exclusion of other instruction on contraceptives and disease prevention."

Vice President Bernie Dorsey called for the addition of curriculum on caring for infants.

Board member Michael Spear noted many students must take care of their younger siblings.

Highline students would begin receiving education on AIDS prevention by the fifth grade under the proposed AIDS prevention policy.

The district will hold presentations for parents and guardians at least a month before AIDS prevention classes begin.

"No student may be required to participate in AIDS prevention education if the student's parent or guardian, having attended one of the district's presentations, objects in writing," according to the policy.

Board President Julie Burr Spani asked for changes in the document to emphasize teaching that condoms and other means of protection are important for sexually active youth.

She said she wanted to make sure that students who will be sexually active receive information on condoms.

Language that stated using condoms puts an individual at risk for AIDS was stricken from the upgraded policy. However, the curriculum will teach about the dangers of sexual intercourse, with or without condoms, in contracting AIDS.

Classes will also teach the dangers of drug abuse, especially that involve hypodermic needles.

During public comments, Bow Lake Elementary parent Renee Crotty suggested that the district switch the school's parent drop-off lot with the bus pick-up lot. Currently the parent area is in the front and buses are in the back of the school.

Crotty also proposed that traffic in the front be redirected from two-way to one-way lanes.

"Our parking lot is a big mess," Crotty declared.

The newly rebuilt Bow Lake in SeaTac opened in September. The board meeting was held at the new facility.

In other discussion, Spani requested a future board work session to study the district's sports and extracurricular programs.

Board member Susan Goding suggested the district solicit input from parents and students. She said she is aware that there are those who strongly support certain sports and extracurricular programs.

"But if we were starting from scratch, it would look different than it is," Goding noted. "We have to use the resources we have for the benefit of the most students."