Several national television news and opinion shows hosted heated debates on the subject and challenged Portland school officials in on-camera interviews.

Here in Maine, parents discussed the topic over breakfast and co-workers hashed it out around the water cooler, raising a host of questions about an emotional issue.

"It's frightening," said Susie Reder, a Raymond resident who had such a conversation at work. "I have a daughter who's 12. They're still kids at that age." ...