TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County parents unhappy with the district’s sexual education curriculum will now have their chance to be heard in front of a judge.

The 7th grade curriculum was approved by the Hillsborough County School Board last month, but a number of parents and grandparents have taken issue with it saying it’s too graphic, not age appropriate and promotes preteens making decisions without consulting their parents first. 

In response, the school district received a number of petitions from upset parents objecting to the curriculum. 

At 9 a.m. Thursday at the district’s headquarters, a hearing officer will hold a public hearing where petitioners can present evidence to the judge who serves as an impartial third party. Those permitted to speak must have filed a petition and be a resident of Hillsborough County.  

In all, the district received 3,079 petitions. Some of them appear to be duplicates with the same petitioner filing more than one copy. 

The petitions outline different parts of the curriculum parents want reexamined or removed. 

“7th Grade Lesson 2 - Graphic drawings and pictures of both sexes genitalia with parts named to be discussed in small coed groups,” one petition reads. 

“7th Grade Lesson 6 - Consent is covered in a way that would lead 12-year-old to believe that they can both give and receive consent to engage in sexual intercourse. Under Florida law, 12-year-olds can’t consent to sex,” a second petition reads. 

Terry Kemple, the great-grandfather of a 7th grader, says he feels the curriculum is not age appropriate and wants it to be thrown out. 

“We should get some that positively reinforces what the state law says it should reinforce,” he said. “That’s that the sex ed curriculum in Florida is supposed to support sexual abstinence as the expected standard for sexual activity. This does not do that. It uses negative influences instead of positive influences.” 

Julie Gebherds, a mother of 6, says the videos that teachers are expected to use in the classroom to supplement the material are inappropriate. 

“It encourages kids to make decisions based on their feelings and make decisions that don’t include their parents,” she said. 

In a statement sent to Spectrum Bay News 9 earlier this year, a district spokesperson reiterated that parents have the opportunity to complete an opt-out form and can pull their child from the lesson at any time. 

“The curriculum for this school year was developed in accordance with new legislation, Board policy, and state standards. Our district promotes abstinence as the first expected standard while also teaching them about healthy decision-making skills. Our curriculum fosters communication with parents and guardians to help continue the conversation at home.” 

After the hearing is complete, the hearing officer will present their findings to the Hillsborough County School Board.