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I am responding to the July 15 letter titled “Bruch for House” which is a grenade tossed over the transom. Facts do matter. The writer claims that Senate Bill 5395, an act relating to requiring comprehensive sexual health education, was championed by Rep. Paul. Yes, Rep. Paul was one of 56 State House members who voted “yes” for 5395. Mr. Bruch was not in the House when the legislation passed. The writer claims that Rep. Paul was not concerned about the views of parents in the 10th District. Yet Section 7 of 5395 allows any parent or legal guardian to have his or her child excused from any comprehensive sexual health instruction.

The writer states that Mr. Bruch was one of the leaders supporting Referendum R-90 and that R-90 will repeal that “radical sex education bill”.

However, according to Ballotpedia.org “a vote to approve Referendum 90 supports Senate Bill 5395 to take effect, thereby requiring public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education for all students and requiring students to be excused if requested by their parents.”

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction states that SB 5395 stipulates that there is no sexuality content required for students in grades K-3. (https://www.K12.wa.us.)

Representative Dave Paul is an educator at Skagit Valley College who works closely with K-12 public schools throughout the 10th District. A vote for Dave Paul is a vote for reason, not for fear, a vote for vision not for shortsightedness.

William H. Taylor

La Conner

(The law “requires all schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education (CSHE). CSHE is defined in the bill as: Recurring instruction in human development and reproduction that is age-appropriate and inclusive of all students.”

In grades K-3, instruction must be in Social Emotional Learning – learning skills to do things like cope with feelings, set goals and get along with others. Grades K-3 have no sexuality content required for students. From http://www.K12.wa.us. – ed.)