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Walker opts not to veto bill putting local school boards in charge of sex ed

Gov. Bill Walker talks with reporters in his temporary offices in Juneau, June 19,2016. He had just called the legislature back for a fifth special session. (Photo by Jeremy Hsieh, KTOO - Juneau)
Gov. Bill Walker talks with reporters in his temporary offices in Juneau, June 19,2016. He had just called the legislature back for a fifth special session. (Photo by Jeremy Hsieh, KTOO - Juneau)

A bill that puts local school boards in charge sex education will become a law, after Governor Bill Walker decided against vetoing it Thursday. House Bill 156 requires that school boards approve any sex education curriculum, as well as any teachers who aren't employed under a contract with schools.

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The bill also allows parents to opt their children out of any lesson. It also gives parents the right to review sex education curriculum and teachers' credentials. And it bars the state from requiring school districts to administer standardized tests for two years, unless the federal government threatens to withhold money.

Andrew Kitchenman is the editor-in-chief of the Alaska Beacon. He has covered state government in Alaska since 2016, previously serving as the Capitol reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO. Contact Andrew at info@alaskabeacon.com.