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Let’s talk about sex Coos Bay schools to review sex education curriculum ■
BY CHELSEA DAVIS The World
COOS BAY — It’s time to take another look at Coos Bay schools’ sex education curriculum. Every three years, the school district reviews its human sexuality education courses. The school board takes input from parents, teachers, school administrators, community representatives and medical professionals to form the curriculum content. Coos Bay school board and superintendent secretary Peggy Ahlgrim noted that this review was not prompted by a complaint. It’s board policy to review the curriculum every three years and get public input. “Nothing triggered it,” she said. “It’s just part of the review process of curriculum to make sure we’re presenting the most accurate and up-to-date information for our students.” Superintendent Dawn Granger said after reviewing board policy she realized the board had not reviewed the sex education curriculum in more than three years, prompting this review. While the district’s policy is to stress abstinence, “other methods for preventing unintended pregnancy, HIV infection, hepatitis B/C infection and other sexually transmitted diseases” should not be ignored. “Such courses are to acknowledge the value of abstinence while not devaluing or ignoring those students who have had or are having sexual relationships,” according to the policy. “Further, sexuality education materials, including instructional strategies and activities must not, in any way, use shame or fear-based tactics.” Sex education has changed drastically over the years. Some schools that used to teach an abstinence-only curriculum have since become more open to teaching different birth control options. “I’m sure it has changed over time; most things do,” said Curriculum Secretary Denese Hale of Coos Bay schools’ sex education curriculum. Marshfield High Principal Doug Holland said so far this school year, two students have transferred to Harding Learning Center’s Teen Parent Program and another is considering making the switch next semester. SEE CURRICULUM | A8
Photos by Alysha Beck, The World
Neeko, a 2-year-old German shepherd, is the newest addition to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. The agency hasn’t had a patrol K-9 since 1983.
Bad guys beware Sheriff’s office has patrol K-9 for the first time in 30 years BY THOMAS MORIARTY The World
For the first time in 30 years, a patrol K-9 has joined the ranks of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. “Neeko,” a 2-year-old black German shepherd, began his duties Monday with human partner Deputy Adam Slater. Slater, who has spent time with the Bandon Police Department and the Confederated Tribal Police in addition to the sheriff’s office, just returned with Neeko from basic canine training in Virginia. Neeko’s purchase was enabled by the Bureau of Land Management, whose Coos County lands Slater is assigned to patrol. “It’s kind of cool how this whole
thing came to be,” he said. The sheriff ’s office first approached the federal agency about funding a K-9 program in 2012. “I ended up testifying before the Resources Advisory Committee,” Slater said. The committee approved the project, and BLM picked up the $22,000 bill for the dog, K-9 school and operational equipment. The sheriff’s office will pay for Neeko’s care and feeding. The agency has had dogs before. Sheriff Craig Zanni had two different drug detection dogs during his time as a deputy. SEE NEEKO | A8
Neeko, a new patrol K-9, rides around town with Coos County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Slater to get acclimated before he starts working Dec. 2.
Biggest test for health care site is still coming
Movin’ on up
BY RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR The Associated Press
By Lou Sennick, The World
The first pieces of steel for the new Coos Historical & Maritime Museum in Coos Bay went up Monday. The skyline is starting to change along the site on Front Street as the construction continues on the museum project. The 11,000-square-foot museum is expected to open in the fall of 2014.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s new and improved health care website faces yet another test in just a couple of weeks, its biggest yet. If HealthCare.gov becomes overwhelmed by an expected year-end crunch, many Americans will be left facing a break in their insurance coverage. Until now, the main damage from the website’s technology woes has been to Obama’s poll ratings. But if it chokes again, it will be everyday people feeling the consequences. Some of those at risk are among the more than 4 million consumers whose individual policies have been canceled because the coverage didn’t comply with requirements of the new health care law. A smaller number, several hundred thousand, are in federal and state programs for people whose health problems already were a barrier to getting private insurance before the overhaul. “The chances are almost 100 percent that someone who would like to continue coverage next year, and intends to secure it, is not going to
Cover Oregon boss is taking a leave of absence PORTLAND (AP) — The embattled director of Oregon’s problem-plagued health insurance exchange said Monday that he’ll be taking a leave of absence for medical reasons. The board of Cover Oregon approved up to 12 weeks of medical leave for Rocky King, who came under fire when the online enrollment system wasn’t ready to launch on schedule in October. Oregon Health Authority Director Bruce Goldberg will immediately serve as Cover Oregon’s interim director, and a SEE OREGON | A8
Ronald Holgrimson, Coos Bay Ryan Brown, Coos Bay Earl Munion, Lakeside Bobby Smith, Coos Bay
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Obituaries | A5
Need to sell your vehicle?
A 450-ton piece of machinery headed to the oil fields of western Canada finally got out of Umatilla on Monday.
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