Board approves rebranded 'Living Healthy' course after public objections over Teen Talk curriculum

The Amador County Unified School District board approved a rebranded junior‑high elective Wednesday that combines health standards, digital citizenship, financial literacy and AVID strategies into a sequential seventh‑through‑ninth grade course.

Administrators described the course—presented as 'Skills for Adolescents' built on the existing Living Healthy curriculum—as a way to create a coherent progression from middle to high school. Sinead Clement (Jackson Junior) and other secondary leaders said the course would incorporate Next Gen Personal Finance and CCGI (a student planning platform), common‑sense digital citizenship resources and Teen Talk materials to meet the California Healthy Youth Act requirements that apply in seventh and ninth grade.

Multiple public commenters, including speakers who identified with Moms for Liberty, urged the board to pause the proposal, arguing the course expands social‑emotional learning (SEL) and exposes students to outside curricula they found objectionable. They specifically cited Teen Talk and expressed concern over material about consent and sexual health. Administrators responded that the district selected Teen Talk to satisfy state‑mandated health standards and noted that parents retain the statutory right to opt their children out of specific curriculum elements.

Trustees discussed the selection and whether materials had changed since prior use; administrators said Teen Talk in use at Jackson Junior had not changed and that the district provides parent notification and opt‑out options. After discussion the board approved the proposal on a divided vote; two trustees voted no and the motion passed by a majority.

Administrators committed to making course materials available to trustees and parents and to continue providing clear opt‑out procedures. They also said the course will be implemented next school year as an elective freshman option at the high schools if local master schedules permit.