Video: Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Statement

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Statement from the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District

The investigation into a personnel issue that developed following a sexuality presentation by a student in a classroom at SHS has concluded.

While the condom demonstration that occurred during the presentation is a violation of Mississippi law and school board policy, the resulting personnel issue goes beyond that scope to include how the employee involved responded during an inquiry regarding the presentation.

After considering the facts of the investigation and consulting with legal counsel, the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s administrative team, including Superintendent Lewis Holloway, Asst. Superintendent Tori Holloway, Asst. Superintendent Jody Woodrum and Principal David Baggett, has determined appropriate disciplinary action that is in accordance with District policy.  With respect to the sensitive nature and privacy of personnel matters and the employee involved, the District doesn’t have any further comment regarding the investigation or the subsequent action.  We consider the issue resolved and we look forward to the employee returning to the classroom.

The dialogue created as a result of this situation brought attention to sex related education curriculum in Mississippi.

Currently, House Bill 999 clearly states “in no case shall the instruction or program include any demonstration of how condoms or other contraceptives are applied.”

House Bill 999 also requires boys and girls to be separated according to gender at all times when sex-related education is presented.

In addition, the law considers parent’s rights when presenting sex-related materials in the classroom, requiring written notification to parents about instruction or any other sex education presentation to allow parents to have the right to determine whether they want their child to participate.

A constructive discussion regarding changes to Mississippi’s sex education law should begin with state lawmakers.  The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is required to teach the curriculum and standards adopted by the legislature and implemented by MDE.

We regret the influence of social media has fueled misinformation in this case, but a rush to judgement on the District’s part would have been unethical and unprofessional.  Throughout the process, we remained committed to gathering factual information about what occurred before, during and after the presentation to reach a fair decision.