School promotes opposite sex matching

ELWOOD, Ind. (WISH) - Most parents agree that matchmaking websites and surveys are games mainly adults should play, but some say Elwood Community Schools has been getting students in on the action.

"I don't believe that at eleven years old a school should be promoting opposite sex matching," Michelle Everett said.

Everett said her 11-year-daughter recently brought home a survey from school. It's a fundraising tool used by the school corporation for the middle school drama club.

Students pay a buck or two each and a computer matches compatible boys and girls in grades six through ten. The more they pay the more matches are found.

"A tenth grader matched with a sixth grader? And the school's promoting it and it's inappropriate," Everett said.

What has Everett more upset is that she found the survey in her daughter's bookbag without a parental consent note like most school fundraising campaigns.

"When I started to read it and it said a list of the members of the opposite sex that are the most compatible for you that you can buy the list, I thought Red Flags, Red Flags," Everett said.

But despite that, the superintendent called the survey a harmless, non-invasive fundraiser and that they've been doing this for the past 15 years.

"I approved this fundraiser on February 1st and I knew about the content of the survey. It's just a good way for kids to have a little fun! It's a voluntary survey," Thomas Austin, Elwood Schools Superintendent said.

Austin also said he hadn't gotten any official complaints from parents. Everett said she did call and complain.

Ultimately, she's concerned about pregnancy rates in the district.

"I think it is promoting kids to be with the opposite sex at a young age," Everett said.