UCPS discusses updated state healthful living standards; parents retain right to review and withhold consent

Union County Public Schools Curriculum Committee discussed new healthful living standards issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on Aug. 27, with staff describing a narrower set of specific skill tasks and a greater emphasis on broader health decision-making, peer influence and long-term impacts.

District staff told committee members the changes to the standards are minimal but shift emphasis from prescriptive, skill-based tasks to broader concepts. Staff said the district will continue to follow Board Policy 5-07 (Health Education Program). Under that policy, schools must notify parents about opportunities to review materials and parents retain the right to withhold consent before students participate in certain lessons.

The staff presentation noted the standards include reproductive-health content. The chair asked whether the parental-approval mechanism is a paper form or an online option; staff replied that the district sends a form home with students in the beginning-of-year packet. "They have a form that was sent home with students," Dr. Hancock said. Parents were also told they may contact the school to review materials in person before deciding whether to withhold consent.

Committee members did not take any formal action on the standards; the item was presented for information and to confirm the district's compliance with state guidance and Board Policy 5-07.

The committee scheduled its next meeting for Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.