Suffolk High School Student Survey Pulled After Community Concerns

FARMINGVILLE, NY — The Sachem Central School District's high schools have pulled a survey to assess at-risk behaviors in after community members expressed concerns.

The quiz, which was sent to 10th graders in health class, asked questions about sexual activity and sexual preferences, such as how many sexual partners students had, and gender and sexual identity, News 12 reported.

The survey also asked students their thoughts about their weight and if they were trying to change it, the outlet reported.

One father told the outlet he was shocked when he saw the survey and told his daughter not to participate.

He told the outlet he considered the questions "extremely personal" and "explicit," adding that they were "something I don't think any child of that age should be asked, even older kids at that point."

"I think it would even be uncomfortable for adults, those questions that were asked on there," he said.

In a statement to Patch, schools superintendent Christopher Pelletierri said the district issued a survey to 10th-grade students at High School East and High School North based on a national study to assess at-risk behaviors "on various health-related topics."

"The survey is anonymous and optional and informs the district of areas in which they can assist their students with available resources for support as needed," he wrote.

"It has come to our attention that the survey included a few questions that raised concerns amongst some community members," Pellettierri continued. "As a result, the district pulled the survey, which is currently under review."

For more from News 12, click here.