“While I seek to fully understand the background, it made sense to halt our utilization.” Rockwood Superintendent Eric Knost stated in an email.

Officials at Orchard Farm and Valley Park school districts said they decided to stop using the Best Choice program when complaints started to surface a few months ago.

“It came to our attention late last year that the Best Choice curriculum was delivered by a faith-based organization when a few parents contacted us with questions,” Valley Park Assistant Superintendent Tad Savage stated in an email. “After researching the issue, we made the decision to discontinue using Best Choice in our schools. We are in the process of rewriting all our curricula … and will work to ensure that no curriculum from faith-based organizations is used.”

Orchard Farm Superintendent Tom Muzzey said staff complained of the quality and preparedness of the guest speakers and felt the district’s own health teachers could do a better job teaching the sexual health curriculum. The speakers “just weren’t showing up and doing a good job for us,” Muzzey said.