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Schools throughout the state lack courses that teach about abortion because educators don't realize the courts permit them now, said John Beasley, president of Freedom To Learn.

"This district could be a pioneer," added Joseph Jolin, another Freedom To Learn activist.

The Roe vs. Wade decision prohibited schools from teaching anything construed as restricting abortion, which was considered a fundamental right - like the right to speech, said Beasley, who is also a U.S. history teacher at Port Charlotte High School.

But with a 1992 court case known as Planned Parenthood vs., Casey, the Supreme Court ruled abortion was no longer a fundamental right, although it's still permitted, Beasley said.

Now, he said, abortion can be treated like smoking. People can legally do it, but they can also be discouraged from it.

Susan Dragonette, another member of the group, said Charlotte County has an opportunity to help students make the right decisions If they get pregnant.

"The people you serve have a legal right to know about abortion," said member Ray Fiedler.

Before, teaching views opposed to abortion could bring on lawsuits, Beasley said. Now, the Supreme Court encourages it, and it would bring on knowledge.

He and other members of Right to Learn asked board members to develop a curriculum that would educate students about both sides of the abortion debate.

"We respect community sentiment, be it pro-choice, pro-life or somewhere in between," Beasley said. "We support openness and we oppose the narrowness endured under Roe, when one always lived with the fear of lawsuit."

After the meeting, School Board Chairwoman Sue Sifrit said she will read over literature provided by Right To Learn. She said she wants to further investigate how the risks of lawsuits have dwindled and find out the school district's current status regarding abortion curriculum.

Readers can access information about Freedom To Learn at the following Internet site: www.freedomtolearn.org
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Mike Kemeth, 1997