Youth pastor named to sex-ed committee

The youth and family minister for St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community was named to the Carson City School District's Family Life Advisory Committee during Tuesday's school board meeting.

Doug Stewart was chosen from between two people who applied for the committee, which reviews all materials to be presented as part of the schools' sex education programs.

"Curriculum to me is very important," said Stewart, who spent 20 years traveling as a motivational speaker. "To have an impact on curriculum is an amazing thing."

Gene Munnings, the other applicant, said his personal experience with AIDS motivated him to seek the position.

"As a person who's had to live with AIDS for almost 20 years, I know what a person goes through," he said.

He said he was diagnosed with HIV after accidentally pricking himself on a dirty needle. At the height of his illness, he said, he dropped below 100 pounds.

"I'd already prepared to be dead," he said. "Then I met my wife, and it changed everything."

While most board members applauded Munnings for his application, they said Stewart better fit the requirements because it was a position for a religious representative.

Stewart said he would take seriously that role.

"There's definitely a responsibility to bring the religious aspect to it and represent what the religious community wants," he said. "I'm proud to be a part of that."

The advisory board is made up of a religious representative, a counselor, a teacher, a medical representative, five parents and two students.

Also at the board meeting

• Consultant Mike Mitchell, who is organizing the Master Plan process, said the Master Plan Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday to determine the amount of money available for a possible tax neutral bond project. Types of possible projects also will be discussed. Anyone interested in attending should call 283-2100.