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A Massachusetts school committee has given first-step approval to a policy that would make condoms available to students as young as 12
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-- -- for a twelve year -- some shocking.
With a controversial plan is on its way to becoming a reality in the Massachusetts school system.
And the Springfield school committee is considering making condoms available to students as young as twelve years old and the -- -- passed its first vote.
So what is so many people think this is a good idea Peter good news reporter for the Republican joins us in Springfield -- Peter.
Good evening Greta.
I tell me is this ad program that step people aren't support of and that -- happen to come about.
Well I I think it's very mixed right now and that's quite evident with our online newspaper mass live dot com.
The comments really do seem to be split you're either very in favor of it or very opposed -- And it really goes back and forth it's been going back and forth all day -- comments very strong comments long comments people.
Very upset or very happy not happy -- but they're just.
Glad that something's being done that some folks and other folks are saying no we can't do this.
Has there been an incident or series of incidents that has provoked the discussion to have to include these twelve year olds and that's.
No I what happened was they want to have it in the high schools and the spot.
It's starting so young they want and it's in the middle schools to.
And they figured out that that's twelve year olds and up.
And that twelve year old age is what really cost a lot of stir in our area.
Now as I understand there's some discussion first is that under the program parents could opt in for their children.
But now the way that it's drafted is that parents we'll have to specifically opt out so if your parent doesn't want this a new.
You know your video workers some they didn't know this was happened although I guess it's gained so much attention -- me at all that it happened.
But that sort of that's troubling as well is that it's it's automatic unless -- out.
Yes.
And one of the school committee members up for quite some time in a sub committee meeting.
Argued that the parents should actually signed permission for there's child.
To get the condoms.
But the supporter said.
You're not going to get all these parents to sign in.
So we're soon going to assume that they're okay with it unless they opt out denied permission for their children to.
Have condoms.
-- customers and -- the community said that it's about split but what's interesting is that the committee is a committee of six it was.
514.
This -- -- -- they're saying this there's very little dissension within the committee that this was a good idea.
Well prior to that vote a couple of the members that did end up voting for it.
Had reservations about it.
One of them said no all parents should sign in.
A sign a consent for their children but then she came around in in agree with that another committee member said it might be.
Personally against is -- his own beliefs but he thought it was for the best interest of students so after quite a lengthy discussion.
It was five to one.
Do any of the people who are on this committee have twelve year old children in the school.
I don't know to tell you the truth there they are of different ages middle aged and older.
And well they -- guys -- the mayor the mayor he's the chairman the school committee and he does have younger children and he was in favor of it.
Can't thank you and will be watching the story because at bat and suspicious this one is gonna get get pretty he would thank you can't.
Thank you Greta.
