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BOURBON - Triton's sexual abuse prevention program provoked an emotional response from parents and community members Monday, but they challenged it after the program was adopted by the school board.
The program was reviewed by a committee of 15 volunteers from the community, along with the elementary principal and guidance counselor. Some of the committee members later objected.
Parent and committee member Ruth Kauffman said, "All committee members did not approve of the program."
Parent Roger Kauffman said, "It is my responsibility to teach things like body safety and sex education to my children. It's between me and my God. I say the majority of children know where they shouldn't be touched."
School Superintendent Rex Roth said the program tells kids to say no, get away and tell someone if they feel they have been inappropriately touched. The terminology is general and not specific - references are made to "private parts" and the part of the body covered by a bathing suit.
The program, called SCAN, will be offered in April to grades one through six. A parent preview and staff in-service will precede the program, and parents who object may hold their child out of the class. Parents also may attend class the day the program is taught.
Roth said after the first year, the program may be taught every other year at the second, fourth and sixth grade levels. He said the DARE program is offered at grades first, third and fifth and can include the same topic.
Parent and committee member Bernetta Moore said, "I'm concerned that parents won't know when the program will be presented. Parents who want to block their child's exposure need a notice."
Roth said the program will be posted in the elementary's weekly newsletter. "It's obvious to me that if a permission slip must be signed for the child to receive this education, a party from a home where something is amiss is not going to sign."
Parent and committee member Larry Manhardt said, "I am responsible for my children and my grandchildren. It is better to say no now and stop this program." Manhardt said he was more concerned about what the program might develop into and compared it to the Roe vs. Wade abortion decision.
Roth was asked if a majority of the committee approved the program as proposed. He said, "Of the ones who were there, a majority said they could support this program." He said some committee members did not attend many of the meetings and only a small number of parents attended the final meeting.
Perhaps the strongest statement of the evening was made by a mother of four, who said, "I wish the school had it years ago. We need it. Too many children are not taught at home. I don't want to put anyone down, but we're often too narrow-minded.
"As an eight-year-old I was molested. When I was 17 the man was arrested and charged with 16 counts (involving other children).
"It wasn't until the (parent preview of the Body Safety) program last year, when that man (Terry Hall) talked, I realized it wasn't my fault. I could have maybe prevented what happened to me happening to someone else if I had knowledge and knew to speak out. It was 10 years from the time it happened to me until he was arrested. How many could have been prevented?"
She said, "Being raised in a Christian home doesn't protect your children. God places some of these programs in schools. Don't prevent a program from reaching children. It's worth it a thousand times over if it saves even one child."
No one from the audience responded after the young mother's plea.
Board president Ken Blackford took some of the audience to task: "You agreed to serve on the committee and develop a program that was acceptable. I am concerned that some here now voicing their opinions have missed half the meetings and now want the board to change the program."
