A fight erupted over a $50,000 grant to Planned Parenthood for teen sex education at the Franklin County Board of Commissioners meeting yesterday.

It's likely the first skirmish in a larger battle, previously aimed at state and federal lawmakers.

"Our board wants us to be more engaged at the local level of government, more of a thermostat and less of a thermometer," said Michael Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life.

"My daughter is not yet 3, but I certainly don't want her learning from the nation's largest provider of abortion about how to use condoms at age 12. It shocks the conscience."

Commissioners voted unanimously to hire Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio to provide classes in 19 Columbus middle and high schools. Teens will have access to medical exams and will be offered information about preventing pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases.

"No taxpayer dollars will be used for abortions. This money is to prevent the need for abortions," promised Lisa Perks, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio.

Jason Shanks, operations director of Greater Columbus Right to Life, asked that Perk's promise be written into the legislation.

Commissioner Marilyn Brown said the board had considered other groups for the grant, but Planned Parenthood was the most comprehensive. It uses a curriculum from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The county has had a contract with Planned Parenthood since 2003, said Commissioner Paula Brooks.

"It's unfortunate that the prevention of very debilitating diseases among our teenagers is becoming a controversy," Brooks said. "Those diseases can cause blindness and they can cause sterility."

No one publicly objected last year when commissioners approved state grants totaling $175,664 to Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio.

Brooks said commissioners squeezed out $50,000 in county funds this year because state funding for teen pregnancy-prevention programs has dried up.

Doug Smith, a program coordinator with Pregnancy Decision Health Centers, questions why the county is spending $50,000 when his organization's Healthy Choices for Youth program, which provided abstinence education to 4,500 students last year, is in districts throughout Franklin County, including Columbus.

Smith said his group covers many of the same topics as Planned Parenthood: "We don't just go into the classrooms and say, 'Say no, see you later.'  "

bcarmen@dispatch.com