TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Schools' sex education curriculum will stay.

The school board voted 5-2 Thursday to keep it in place.

Some parents, church groups and conservative activists had challenged the material.

Hillsborough Superintendent Addison Davis said the school board received more than 3,000 petitions against the material.

But only 16 people who requested to speak at the hearing qualified to do so. Those qualifications included being a resident or having students enrolled.

The material was approved for 7th through 9th grades last November.

The people challenging the curriculum said it's too graphic and provides questionable information about gender identity.        

"Our desire is to help you to protect you,” Terry Kemple, a local conservative activist, said while addressing the board Thursday. “But we want to do that by protecting our children from this material that is inappropriate for kids."

Psychiatry Specialist Dr. Bonnie Saks spoke in favor of the curriculum.

"Contrary to the opinion that sex education creates more sexually acting out. Research and clinical experience clearly show that sex education gives teens more self-control,” she said.

The district says the curriculum was developed in accordance with Florida law and promotes abstinence first.

Parents also have the choice to opt their students out at any time.

It was the final vote on the matter.