TAMPA, Fla. — On Thursday, Hillsborough County School Board members voted not to overturn a recommendation from a hearing master and former judge.
This means the sex education curriculum for Middle School students will stay in place for the rest of the school year in Hillsborough County.
More than 3,000 people sent in petitions against the current curriculum.
After a hearing in November, hearing master Claudia Isom made a recommendation to the board. She looked over the curriculum and heard from people on both sides.
Isom ultimately recommended that the board overrule the objections from petitioners. She said she did not believe the board went against state laws and that the curriculum was sound.
Hillsborough School Board Chair Nadia Combs said that the recommendation influenced her affirmative vote today.
"I think it's just a very challenging time when things are very divisive and we just need to focus on students," said Combs.
Combs reminds parents that their kids don't have to participate in sex-ed classes.
"Parents who don't feel comfortable with the curriculum can opt their child out," she explained.
Combs said parents will receive a hard copy of the opt-out form. The form is also available online on the district's website.