Dave Stieren, $156,000-a-year mouthpiece for Gov. Mike Dunleavy, took offense when I referred to him on Twitter as the Dunleavy education expert.

Reading his comment about me being a “sad relic,” I pay no heed, remembering to consider the source.

But I would like Stieren to reveal to the public what sex ed there is for first-graders that Dunleavy says must end? What exactly is being taught that should not be taught?

He refused to elaborate because the governor’s spokesman didn’t know what he was talking about. This is not the first time.

What is it that parents are not allowed to know about what is taught in schools that requires a new law? Stieren would have you believe that parents are kept in the dark, which is another lie.

There are provisions in state law and school district policies that allow parents to review what is being taught. Parents who don’t know what their children are being taught are not using the tools at their disposal. Or they are not interested.

Plus, there are existing rules about “age appropriate” instruction.

I think the Dunleavy “plan” is a public relations stunt inspired by the antics that are necessary to land on Fox News and bemoan the state of the world.

The Dunleavy scheme, introduced Wednesday, won’t pass the Legislature. It is designed to placate extremists and distract the public from focusing on the failure of the governor to provide any real leadership on education for the Legislature to follow.

The Anchorage Daily News has good coverage. So does the Alaska Current, where political reporter Matt Buxton’s work can now be found. Buxton says the Dunleavy plan “largely mirrors Florida’s notorious ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill that he says empowers parents to stop children from learning about anything that is an ‘affront’ to the parent’s beliefs.”

Dunleavy couldn’t defend his “plan” without sniping at the media, irritated that anyone would question his expertise because he used to work in schools, has three daughters and held a press conference attended by his employees, political allies and school kids they brought along as props.

On Thursday, Dunleavy attacked the Anchorage Daily News story by reporters Iris Samuels and Sean Maguire, two of the best reporters in Alaska.

Dunleavy whined that the bill doesn’t mention taking away anyone’s rights. He claimed it was wrong for the reporters to write that his proposals “would limit sexual education and the rights of gender non-conforming students in public schools.”

Dunleavy protests too much. The newspaper story was right. The bill is not just about parents, as Dunleavy claims. It would limit the rights of certain students.

Stieren was unable to provide a single specific to back up his claim that Dunleavy is trying to protect first-graders and other young kids from evil influences. And there are already requirements in law that allow parents to have easy access to what is taught.

I’m starting to think that Dunleavy and Stieren are not education experts.

Under Erin’s Law, also known as the Alaska Safe Children’s Act, each school district has been required to “establish a training program for employees and students, and provide parent notices relating to sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and prevention for students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12.”

The state has no suggested curriculum for the Alaska Safe Children’s Act for kids who are in the sixth grade and below. It does have information on dating safety and other matters for middle school and high school.

The state does have recommended curriculum from the Alaska Safe Children’s Act Task Force that includes “age-appropriate” material for young kids to learn about about what is a good touch, a bad touch, etc. It’s not harmful. It’s helpful.

The state has a sample letter so that parents can be aware of what is going on and have their kids removed from the class if that’s what the parents desire.