Chlamydia Spreads In Texas High School That Does Not Offer Sex Ed

A West Texas high school is experiencing a chlamydia outbreak, district officials report. It is also found that the school does not offer sex education in their curriculum.

District officials are now reconsidering the school's approach to sex education after several students in Crane High School tested positive for chlamydia. ABC News obtained a letter stating news of the outbreak and that surrounding counties are also battling an outbreak. "Crane Independent School District would like to make our parents aware or more aware of a problem that has been identified in our teenagers and young adults of our community," the letter states.

According to the high school’s handbook, Crane does not offer sex education in the 2014 to 2015 curriculum. The handbook explains that if the school does offer sex education programs, parents have the choice to not let their kids sign up. Furthermore, it stated that state laws require more attention to abstinence.

Buzzfeed News reports that the number of chlamydia cases was reportedly at 20. However, the school superintendent together with Department of Health Services in Texas said that only three cases in the district have been confirmed.

Crane High School only offers a sex education course for three days, which also happens only once a year. The course focuses more on abstinence, and according to school superintendent Jim Rumage, it’s “not a bad program.” “That’s not a bad thing, because if kids are not having any sexual activity, they can’t get this disease,” he said.

Diana Martinez, a resident of Crane, told reporters that she does not have to worry about the outbreak because her kids are too young. "Honestly this happens in any town," she said in a report from MSN News. "Parents need to be aware of the situation and make sure they tell their kids to be safe and practice safe sex."

School district officials had a meeting on Monday to reconsider approach on sex education teachings. The school board will approve any changes to the curriculum in a vote come May 19.

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