EAU CLAIRE, Wis.—A middle school principal said last week he made “an error in judgment” by not more fully discussing a teacher’s plan to tell seventh-grade students her sexual orientation during health classes.

South Middle School Principal John Wallace said in a letter to parents of about 125 students in Stephanie Rowe’s health classes that parents send their children to school each day “trusting that we as their educators will make the best decisions as to how to instruct and care for them.”

The principal said Rowe told him she planned to tell her seventh-grade health students that day that she is gay. She told him the question concerning her sexual orientation has come up for years during the question-and-answer day that is included in the human growth and development unit.

Wallace stated Rowe felt that in refusing to answer the question she was not modeling the honesty, respect and authenticity that she encourages in her students.

She hoped to succinctly make her orientation known through a one-time announcement and then move on to the lesson, the principal said.

Some parents complained to school officials about Rowe’s announcement and a questionnaire and discussion about sexual topics.