Michigan School District Reviewing Sex Ed Lessons On Gender Identity For Young Students

A parent in St. Johns says the proposed material conflicts with many families’ beliefs and should require stronger parental consent.

A parent in the St. Johns Public Schools district is raising concerns over proposed sex education curriculum materials being reviewed by the district’s Sex Education Advisory Board, saying some of the topics involving gender identity and sexual orientation are inappropriate for younger students.

Gayle, a parent with a child currently in the district, said she became concerned after reviewing committee materials that included lessons discussing gender identity, sexual orientation and definitions of family. She said the materials being considered go beyond traditional health education and should be left to parents rather than schools.

“I cannot sit back and be quiet about them wanting to do something like this, present this kind of thing to kids that are that young,” Gayle said during an interview.

Documents obtained through a records request show the St. Johns Public Schools Sex Education Advisory Board met April 6, 2026, to discuss curriculum options and survey questions related to growth, development and sexual health education.

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The board packet reviewed several curriculum programs including FLASH, HealthSmart and Michigan Model for Health. Materials in the packet indicate some lessons include discussions involving gender diversity, sexual orientation, consent, contraception and healthy relationships across different grade levels.

One curriculum under consideration, FLASH for elementary grades 4 through 6, includes lessons involving “gender diversity” and “sexual orientation,” according to the curriculum overview. The materials also reference lessons discussing gender identity and defining family structures.

Gayle said those topics should not be introduced to elementary-aged students.

“They are defining gender identity. This is not scientifically proven,” she said. “In the fourth grade, fourth graders aren’t thinking about whether they’re lesbian, gay, straight or whatever.”

The FLASH middle school curriculum for grades 6 through 8 includes topics involving gender identity, sexual orientation, condom use and contraception. High school FLASH materials reviewed by the advisory board include lessons involving sexual orientation, gender diversity, consent, condom use and contraception.

Another curriculum option, HealthSmart, includes survey questions asking parents what grade levels should introduce topics such as gender identity, sexual orientation, contraception, consent and laws related to sexting and sharing sexual images.

The survey also includes questions regarding “the difference between gender identity and biological sex.”

Gayle said her concerns are not directed toward people who identify as LGBTQ, but instead focus on whether schools should be introducing those concepts to younger children.

“I have people that I know that are LGBTQ. I love those people,” she said. “It doesn’t mean we agree on everything.”

She also questioned whether the proposed curriculum reflects the views of the broader community and said parents should have greater control over when and how those subjects are discussed with children.

Debates over sex education curriculum and gender-related lessons have surfaced in school districts across Michigan in recent years, with parents and advocacy groups on both sides speaking out at school board meetings and advisory committee discussions. Some parents argue schools should focus strictly on biological and health-related instruction, while others support broader discussions involving identity, relationships and inclusion.

Michigan law allows parents and guardians to opt their children out of sex education instruction, though some parents have argued districts should move toward an “opt-in” system requiring parental permission before students participate.

Gayle also raised concerns that the district has not publicly released the names of all members serving on the Sex Education Advisory Board. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Berthiaume refused to release the names when I asked him. Some legal experts have argued advisory board membership connected to public school decision-making should be publicly available under Michigan transparency laws.

Dr. Berthiaume also told Bondy that no new sex education curriculum has yet been formally approved by the St. Johns Board of Education.

District documents state the St. Johns Public Schools Sex Education Advisory Board is currently working to adopt a new curriculum and develop updated goals and objectives for the district’s sex education program.

The materials also state parents and guardians have the right to opt students out of sexual health education lessons.