MISD Weighs Sex Ed Plans Part.1

The numbers coming in may seem staggering, but it's nothing new to Midland.

 “Over the last five years and at the very least there was one year where the very least who applied for pregnancy services was 150,” said Dr. Ryder Warren, Superintendent of M.I.S.D.

 Adults of the community fear the worst.

 “There is a whole population that goes unreported and we don't know what that is," said Ryan Loyd. "But we know they are out there so we know we are missing some as a community we must understand we don't have the whole picture.”

Loyd is the director of education at the Life Center -- a pregnancy crisis resource in Midland. Since 2005, they've seen a steady rise in pregnant clients, but their average age keeps dropping.

 “Approximately  35 to 36 percent of our clients at the life center are from the age of 15 to 19,” said Loyd.

Pregnancy at such a young age can not only hinder a girl's ability to excel, but at such large number, it can actually hinder an entire community. Now, M.I.S.D. leaders are hoping a sex education program might help teens make better choices.

“The concern I had was the district does not have a sex education program," said Dr. Warren. "And we haven't had one in three years.”

A few options are already being considered. A more conservative abstinence only program would encourage students to avoid sexual intimacy altogether. There's also a less traditional option.

“Abstinence plus program," said Dr. Warren. "Trying to get them to say no. But if for some reason you're not saying no, here is a way to protect yourself.”

While Midland's teen pregnancy rate is already getting a lot of attention, setting up this sex ed program is even more controversial. On Tuesday, we'll take a closer look at opposition to the proposed sex education programs, and how the school plans to respond.