The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for the April 2 election to the Anchorage School Board to answer a series of questions on issues facing those bodies. We’re publishing select responses daily. The answers were fact-checked when facts were cited and edited for spelling, grammar and writing style. To see all the responses, click here. For Assembly candidate surveys, click here.
Q: What sex education and support services do you believe school-age children should be getting at school?
SEAT A
Margo Bellamy
Sex education and support services in public schools should be consistent with the Alaska School Health and Safety Standards. This includes learning opportunities for students to learn about good nutrition, be physically and mentally fit, know their bodies, make healthy choices and have healthy relationships.
Kai Binkley Sims
I think sex education should be offered as a small part of the health curriculum, but not required in public schools.
SEAT B
Starr Marsett
I believe that what is offered to date is sufficient; however our high school students are asking for more information. With a state that has the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases I believe we can provide what the students are requesting in a proper manner.
David Nees
The Body Shop program ASD has in place is an opt-in for sex education model. It seems to be doing healthy choice education very well. I like the use of school for school-based clinics, as a means to provide physicals and urgent care. I believe sex education should not begin before the middle school grade. Ideally, parents should be responsible for their child’s sex education.
Ronald Stafford did not respond to the survey.