S.D. Watch - S.D. Watch

The Sioux Falls School District has stepped in a major pile of “it”: the abortion controversy.

The District allowed the Alpha Center to buy not just an ad advertising its “services” (click here for PDF: Anti-Abortion Ad.pdf) but advocating directly against abortion.

There is a little tiny disclaimer at the bottom of the page saying the ad doesn’t represent the views of the SFSD.

I can’t imagine the District would allow Planned Parenthood to run such an ad in an information school-sponsored publication like a directory.

Here’s the response from Planned Parenthood, sent out to key supporters today.

Dear Friends,

As you may have seen or heard, the Sioux Falls School District printed the attached full page Alpha Center advertisement in its 2008-2009 School Directory.

If you find this decision offensive, forward this e-mail to all of your friends and stand up to voice your opinion by:

1) Calling a member of the School Board

Darin Daby, President (H 362-8199)

Kent Alberty, Vice President (H 334-9762)
Deana Barth, Member (H 332-8370)

Debbie Hoffman, Member (H 310-7707)
Doug Morrison Member (H 371-0956)
Dr. Pamela Homan, Superintendent, (O 367-7965)

2) Submitting a Letter to the Editor at the Argus Leader
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/CUSTOMER03/60824021

3) Organizing a group of your friends to go to the next School Board meeting at 6PM on August 25 at the IPC, 201 E 38^th Street.

Points to remember when standing up against this decision:

—Abortion is a sensitive issues. This was a violation of family’s rights to decide what message they want their children to hear.

—The defense that “This was a paid advertisement. These are not the opinions or views of the Sioux Falls School District” doesn’t cut it. The District needs to take ownership of everything it gives to its student

—Schools hold a position of authority in the minds of students. Anything that schools share with children in their printed materials must be viewed under this lens.

Bad, bad decision, Sioux Falls School District. Thanks for bringing the debate into the schools in such a way that is both offensive and unfair. Heads should roll on this.

Update on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 by

Todd Epp

And this follow-up message from PP:

Hi all….

Have you seen this yet?

This is a full page “ad” which is in the new SF school district’s directory. It was given to every single home that has children in SF public schools.

I can assure you that if Planned Parenthood had attempted to buy some ad space to talk about prevention of unintended pregnancy and abortion through sex ed, that ad would’ve never run… and if it had… the anti choice crowd would’ve thrown a royal fit.

With an abortion ban back on the ballot, this is nothing short of a politcal ad… even though it doesn’t mention IM 11 specifically. That’s how they can get away with it.

I hope you will take just one minute today to call the Instructional Planning Center to let them know you are disappointed in their willingness to print such a political message on such a sensative subject in our school district’s directory.

IPC 367-7900
Pam Homan’s office 367-7920

Thank you for your help with this. And please email your friends and encourage them to respond as well.

Shannon Stevens