Rochester, N.Y. -- After three hours of comments, debate and explanation, the Rochester Board of Education approved a measure that paves the way for condoms in city high schools.
4 Board of Education members voted YES:
Mary Adams
Malik Evans
Willa Powell
Jose Cruz
3 Members voted NO:
Cynthia Elliott
Melisza Campos
Van White
Students, parents and faith leaders gave their final pleas to the board. Most of the commenters support condoms in a district which health leaders say is overwhelmed with teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease cases.
Students will need to take classroom instruction on AIDS and their parents would be able to opt them out of the program by written request.
District leaders say the State Education Commissioner will also need to sign off on the measure.
No timetable has been defined for implementation, but it is expected no sooner than fall 2012.
