May 22, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)-- Dozens of parents, community leaders and even students met at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Thursday night with one ultimate goal.
"We would like to see Planned Parenthood removed from the guest speaker list in Knox County Schools," said Lisa Morris, a parent and spokesperson for the Prolife Coalition.
Planned Parenthood is on the approved list of Knox County School speakers to educate your high school children about sex as part of Lifetime Wellness.
"They never said anything about abstinance," said Alaynna McCormick, a sophomore at Harin Valley Academy who sat through one of the sessions-- one in which her teacher failed to send out a consent form. Her mother Kymberly McCormick wanted to know why.
"I still haven't gotten an answer or how this happened without parental involvement," McCormick said.
Jim McIntyre, Knox County Schools Superintendent, attended the meeting tonight and addressed McCormick's question. He said it was unfortunate one of their staff made a mistake.
"It was an unfortunate error but when they happen we try to rectify them, correct them and make sure they don't happen again," he said.
But it's beyond that now. The room full of parents said they don't want to have a speaker from planned parenthood enter their child's classroom to teach about sex "the wrong way."
"They are about sex instruction and encouragement. Not sex education," Morris said.
Ginny Winters with Planned Parenthood said that's not the case.
"Our goal is to provide education skills that allow teens to make healthy decisions. We cover reproductive anatomy, HID/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy preventions and healthy relationships," Winters said.
But it's the websites that parents said they're inviting students to access that are sending the wrong message.
It doesn't matter what you believe about abortion, what religion you are.. this material is offensive for everbody," McCormick said.
