Mass. district to clarify policy after complaints grade schoolers would have access to condoms

No condoms for grade schoolers, Mass. schools say

PROVINCETOWN, Mass. — The superintendent of a Massachusetts school district is apologizing to parents for what she calls a misunderstanding over a condom availability policy.

Superintendent Beth Singer said in the letter e-mailed Tuesday that the district will clarify that elementary school-age students won’t be able to get a condom if they request one from the school nurse.

The Cape Cod Times reports that she wrote it became necessary to revise the wording after it was “so badly understood and misrepresented by the media.”

The policy is set to take effect in the fall and appeared to set no minimum age for students to receive condoms without parental consent. The policy drew criticism from conservative groups as well as Democratic Gov. Deval (deh-VAHL’) Patrick.

Information from: Cape Cod Times, www.capecodonline.com