Sex survey not approved by elmbrook school board or district

BROOKFIELD, WI— The School District of Elmbrook apologized after it was made aware that a Brookfield Central High School teacher distributed an anonymous digital survey about sexual activity

to students. Brett Gruetzmacher, Brookfield Central principal, said in a statement that the survey was intended to initiate a conversation about abstinence and behaviors that can lead to

sexually transmitted infections. "This survey was not approved through the District’s Human Growth and Development Curriculum, and should not have been delivered," Gruetzmacher

said. The district did not discuss which teacher administered the survey, nor did it say what actions would be taken against the teacher. A parent expressed concern to the Elmbrook School

Board during its meeting Tuesday dealing with the sexual behavior survey given to students. Heidi Harrison told the board she had photos of a survey given to 10th graders in a Brookfield

Central health class in December. Students were given the option to take the digital survey, which was anonymous and untraceable, Harrison said. The questions on the survey asked for

"true" or "false" answers or "yes, I have" or "no, I haven't" answers. The survey asked students to respond to statements such as the following,

Harrison said. * "I have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs when having sexual intercourse." * "I've had sexual intercourse with 4 or more people." * Other

questions asked what type of sex a student had had, what method of birth control a student had used or if a student had had unprotected sex. "This should not be asked of our 10th-grade

children or any children underage," Harrison said. Harrison asked why parents weren't asked about the survey. She added that parents should have the choice if their child should

have sex education in school. "This questionnaire should be illegal, [in] my personal opinion," she said. "They are asking for sexual information from a minor."

Gruetzmacher's statement said District Policy 6142.3 regarding human growth and development is crystal clear.