Parents often have a hard time talking with their kids about such difficult issues as HIV/AIDS prevention.

The Jackson School District offered a two-day HIV/AIDS prevention course last week, an elective option of the state's comprehensive health education program.

But the decision to teach this portion of the class was made locally, by an 11-member advisory committee that includes school board members and representatives from business and religious groups.

That's the way it should be done. Local schools should be able to judge such controversial matters by community standards.

The course was taught by the school nurse. The aim is to combat confusion and misinformation about AIDS and other transmittable diseases. Informing and protecting our teen-agers seems a worthy goal of public education.

The fact this particular segment had the blessing of a community advisory board makes it all the more impressive. Great schools like Jackson reflect caring, involved communities.