KNOXVILLE (WATE) - The Knox County superintendent has decided on a change for sexual education instruction in the school system.
The school system is developing a plan in the months ahead to only allow school staff and members of the Knox County Health Department to instruct students on sex, wellness and health.
Outside groups will be banned from teaching the curriculum.
A Knox County mother, Kymberly McCormick, said in January she wanted Planned Parenthood out of the Knox County School System.
Planned Parenthood had been on an approved speakers list for this year's mandatory health classes, but McCormick objected to the organization's involvement, saying the material was too graphic and students should have been allowed to opt out of the presentation.
Supt. Dr. Jim McIntyre made the decision to change who will teach sex education after a review of the Planned Parenthood website.
Dr. McIntyre said the website contained material outside of what in approved in the state's sex education curriculum. He noted, however, that none of the Planned Parenthood material was used in Knox County classroom presentations.
Dr. McIntyre sent a memorandum to the board of education Friday informing them of his decision.
