Sanitary sewer system tested

Continued from Page 42 following instances:

• Vents connected to a building’s sewer pipes are inadequate, defective, or improperly installed.

• Traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective, improperly installed, or missing.

• Pipes, connections and seals of the wastewater drain system in and under buildings are damaged, defec- tive, have plugs missing, or are improperly installed. of the subject matter in the framework that many criticized as obscene.

The smoke test can reveal the presence, if any, of sewer gas, which can be dangerous and a health risk to occupants. In the event that smoke enters your home or business, contact a member of the smoke testing crew working in your area or by contacting WWW at 410-641-5251, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4p.m.

Gill listed several statistics that back the legislation, including that state data indicates that Hispanic and Black students in Worcester County experience childbirth more often than their white counterparts. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is “steadily increasing” in Worcester County she said.

“I cannot tell you the number of people less than 18 who do not understand their bodies and options and how to protect themselves,” she said. “But those are the kids with access (to healthcare). There are hundreds, if not thousands, of kids in schools who do not have reliable health care access or prevention education or testing. If we take apart or remove comprehensive health education, we are discriminating against those who are more and already susceptible to harm and marginalization.”

Parent Christine Hulslander offered an old adage.

“The time for the map is before you enter the woods,” she said. “Knowing what territory lies ahead is a part of being prepared, informed and knowledgeable.”

She didn’t deny that the material could be described as “smut,” as Commissioner Jim Bunting put it last week, but guessed that the majority of the people in the room at the board meeting had engaged in many of the sexual acts listed in the framework.

“By providing information to our children with age-appropriate content, we are providing a map for the territory ahead,” Hulslander said. “These are things they will experience.”

Still, plenty of opposition — from multiple points — exists to the legislation.

Grant Helvey, who ran for a

Worcester County Commissioner seat last year, told the board that he hopes they find the legislation, its authors and supporters “wrongful, selfrighteous, arrogant and insulting” while urging any board members who support the bill to name themselves so that “those who entrust you with the authority may judge you and your capability to continue in service.”

“What is the price that you as a trusted school board member place on the rights of families to lead the future generations to become virtuous citizens?” Helvey asked. “What will be the consequence of saying no to tyrants who support the bill? What enforceable powers do they hold over each of you?”

Parent Dianna Harris pointed out that math and English proficiency statistics — still ultimately lacking in her estimation despite being among the best in the state — show that there is already too much on students’ plates.

“I long to understand why, when our students are struggling to add, read and write, this state and this board of education would even entertain expanding the curricula to have students be able to define oral, anal, vaginal and (solo) sex.”

Other opponents made arguments such as the framework robs parents of their right to teach their own kids, that the law should be rewritten to offer the curriculum on an opt-in basis since communication with parents is sometimes unreliable and that the framework is justification for a quid pro quo that would bring prayer back to school.

After the presentation, it was immediately clear that the board would not be supporting the bill. Multiple board members even went so far as to