Miami-Dade reverses course, accepts previously rejected sex ed textbooks

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Miami-Dade County School Board on Thursday accepted two health and sexual education books for use in local schools, reversing a decision from just last week to reject the curriculum over fears it could violate the state’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill, known by opponents as “Don’t Say Gay.”

The about-face was led by the chair, Perla Tabares Hantman, whose flipped vote made the difference in the books passing by a close 5-4 margin. Hantman, who opposed the books last week after community members criticized them for broaching topics like abortion and contraceptives, worried that denying the books could eventually leave the school district out of compliance with state teaching standards.

“I am a policy maker — I have to do not what I believe or what I want,” Hantman said. “I have to do what I have to do for the rights for everyone.”

The board decision to rescind last week’s vote denying the two “Comprehensive Health Skills” books for students in middle and high school was not well received by members who pushed to deny the texts. Those in opposition expressed frustrations that the failed books were brought back up for reconsideration, suggesting the public was not properly noticed while openly disagreeing with guidance from the board attorney.

“If you support this item, you’re not supporting transparency,” said board member Lubby Navarro, who voted against the books.

The two texts have been under scrutiny in Miami for months now as some parents argue the lessons extend beyond what schools should be educating students on sex while others say they are necessary teachings. Miami-Dade school officials recommended approving the textbooks following a public hearing on June 8 to field some 278 petitions against the materials, which the district denied before the board last week voted 5-4 to reject the texts.

Any parent under Florida law can opt their child out of sex education lessons, a policy that the board agreed school leaders need to blast out to the community.

“Anyone, for whatever reason, which I respect, who does not want their child to be taught any of this has protections under state law, has protections under our board policy, to opt out, as they should,” said board member Luisa Santos, who voted in favor of the books. “It is not our role to deny everyone that option. It is our role to ensure that everyone has that option.”

The back-and-forth among Miami’s school board is an early test of how Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, passed earlier this year and championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is shaping school policies in the wake of its passage. The law prohibits teachers from leading classroom lessons on gender identity or sexual orientation for students in kindergarten through third grade. It also prohibits these lessons for older students unless they are “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate.”

Some parents, including members of the conservative group County Citizens Defending Freedom, opposed the health and sex education books over lessons surrounding gender orientation and unplanned pregnancies, which includes definitions of abortion and emergency contraceptives like the Plan B pill. Yet other parents say these lessons are critical for preparing youth about safe sex and issues like sexually transmitted diseases.

School board members who disputed the books criticized the board for taking up the matter again "when the ink is still wet."

"I personally don't think this meeting is necessary," Navarro said. "It’s not about how many people show up on one side or the other, that doesn’t sway my vote."