Numerous parents and students came to push again for comprehensive sex education at the Anson County Board of Education meeting Monday.

For the second straight month, citizens spoke about the need for comprehensive sex education during the public comment portion of the meeting. Also, like last month, a proposed curriculum was presented.

The school system currently uses the "North Carolina Healthful Living Standard Course of Study."

Frances Williamson, the deputy superintendent, described the current curriculum in January as a compromise between abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education. While abstinence is emphasized, contraception is discussed.

Abortion is not a part of the curriculum.

"I believe sex education is needed at Anson High School," Tanisha Solomon, a senior at the school, said.

She said sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy were a problem, the latter often causing students to drop out of school.

"The question is, what can we do?" Vancine Sturdivant said.

Fred Colson used his time to recommend Leon Gatewood be chosen as M.R. Bell's replacement on the school board. Bell passed away Jan. 27.

"He's a man who can make a difference," he said.

Gatewood was at the meeting, but said he did not know Colson was going to speak on his behalf.

Gatewood said he was concerned the community was not doing all it could regarding teen pregnancy and sex education.

"We need to figure out how to help teens make healthier decisions," he said.

Gatewood said resources for training and curricular support had been secured for the proposed curriculum. Parents would have the option of opting out.

Board member Altheria Patton asked if the current curriculum had been reviewed by the people pushing for comprehensive sex education, saying the proposed curriculum was similar in some respects.

Gatewood and the others, including Misty Harris, Anson County Economic Development director, said they would like to sit down with her to talk about it.

Harris said the current policy seemed vague and hard to understand.

Patton said she wanted people to know the board and other members of the school system were "aware of the problem" and, working together with citizens, they could come up with specific changes to be made.

An open meeting will be held at the regular school board meeting place March 30 at 9 a.m. to discuss the topic of teen pregnancy. The county's Health Advisory Council will be present.