Update 11/24/2009: Apparently, this decision was reversed as reported in another similar case "Pacific Justice Institute recently assisted parents in Modesto in defeating a very similar proposal. PJI is currently working with community leaders in Thousand Oaks to ensure that the school board respects parents’ rights to be informed when their children leave school for any reason."-School District Backs Down From Plan to Hide Kids’ Medical Info from Parents
The California Catholic daily reports on a 4-3 decision in California...
“Modesto has sided with Planned Parenthood”
School board votes to allow students to leave campus during school day for ‘confidential medical services’ without parents knowing
A divided Modesto City School Board has voted to permit junior high and high school students to leave campus during the school day for “confidential medical services,” including abortions, without the consent or knowledge of their parents.
After what the Modesto Bee described as “impassioned arguments for both sides,” the board voted 4-3 at its Monday, June 22, meeting to adopt the new policy.
School districts across the state have adopted widely differing policies regarding the question of whether students may leave campus for medical services without parental knowledge or consent. On March 12, for example, the Vista Board of Education in northern San Diego County unanimously adopted a policy requiring its students to have parental consent before leaving campus during the school day for medical services.
On July 25, the Fairfield-Suisun Board of Education is scheduled to take up the same issue. The district serves students in Fairfield and Suisun City in Solano County, midway between Sacramento and San Francisco. Current policy in the district provides, “in order to ensure the safety of its students, any time a student is permitted to leave campus during the school day, it must be with parent/guardian full and complete knowledge, and, as a result, requires written parent/guardian consent for any release from campus during the school day."
Karen England, executive director of the pro-family lobbying group Capitol Resource Institute attended the June 22 Modesto City School Board meeting. In a statement following the meeting, England said, "Only four people -- three from Planned Parenthood, plus one activist-- testified in favor of excluding parents. Every single additional testimony asked the board to include parents."
According to the Modesto Bee, school district attorney Roman Munoz said the new policy merely updates district regulations so they conform with a provision of the state Education Code that took effect in 1986. That section of the Education Code says, "the governing board of each school district shall, each academic year, notify pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, and the parents or guardians of all pupils enrolled in the district, that school authorities may excuse any pupil from the school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the pupil's parent or guardian."
“In reality, there is no mandate,” said England in her statement following the meeting. “State law says that ‘school authorities may excuse any pupil,’" which England said she pointed out to the school board during the meeting. “The law provides permission for implementing confidential release, but it certainly does not impose a mandate,” she said. “There are over 900 public school districts in California and many do not offer their students confidential medical release. Modesto's current policy is parent- friendly. Unfortunately, Modesto has sided with Planned Parenthood for now, against parents.”
England qualified her statement with “for now” because the June 22 vote was preliminary. “Modesto parents still have time to protect their rights, however, because the board members will cast a new vote on July 13.”
According to the Bee, “Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Vice President Deborah Ortiz emphasized that the law regarding confidential medial services covers more than just sexual or reproduction issues. The organization operates a clinic in Modesto.”
“Medical services,” reported the Bee, “can include pregnancy testing, contraception, abortions, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, counseling and treatment for rape, drug abuse and mental health, and a variety of other medical services.”
“Modesto parents and pastors left the meeting fired up,” said England in her statement following the meeting. “They are ready to tell their communities what is going on -- so that more families can get involved, because people are still unaware.”
England said supporters of parental rights should contact school board members before the July 13 vote and should attend the next meeting.
Modesto City School Board Members
Steven Grenbeaux, board president (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) -- Email: grenbeaux.s@monet.k12.ca.us
Kimberly Gerber Spina, board vice president (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) – Email: spina.k@monet.k12.ca.us
Nancy Cline, board member (voted to require parental consent and knowledge) – Email: cline.n@monet.k12.ca.us
Steve Collins, board member (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) – Email: steveco854@aol.com
Gary Lopez, board member, (voted to require parental consent and knowledge) – Email: mfdfirecap@aol.com
Cindy Marks, board member (voted to require parental consent and knowledge) – Email: marks.c@monet.k12.ca.us
Belinda Rolicheck, board member (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) – Email: brolicheck@hotmail.com
After what the Modesto Bee described as “impassioned arguments for both sides,” the board voted 4-3 at its Monday, June 22, meeting to adopt the new policy.
School districts across the state have adopted widely differing policies regarding the question of whether students may leave campus for medical services without parental knowledge or consent. On March 12, for example, the Vista Board of Education in northern San Diego County unanimously adopted a policy requiring its students to have parental consent before leaving campus during the school day for medical services.
On July 25, the Fairfield-Suisun Board of Education is scheduled to take up the same issue. The district serves students in Fairfield and Suisun City in Solano County, midway between Sacramento and San Francisco. Current policy in the district provides, “in order to ensure the safety of its students, any time a student is permitted to leave campus during the school day, it must be with parent/guardian full and complete knowledge, and, as a result, requires written parent/guardian consent for any release from campus during the school day."
Karen England, executive director of the pro-family lobbying group Capitol Resource Institute attended the June 22 Modesto City School Board meeting. In a statement following the meeting, England said, "Only four people -- three from Planned Parenthood, plus one activist-- testified in favor of excluding parents. Every single additional testimony asked the board to include parents."
According to the Modesto Bee, school district attorney Roman Munoz said the new policy merely updates district regulations so they conform with a provision of the state Education Code that took effect in 1986. That section of the Education Code says, "the governing board of each school district shall, each academic year, notify pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, and the parents or guardians of all pupils enrolled in the district, that school authorities may excuse any pupil from the school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the pupil's parent or guardian."
“In reality, there is no mandate,” said England in her statement following the meeting. “State law says that ‘school authorities may excuse any pupil,’" which England said she pointed out to the school board during the meeting. “The law provides permission for implementing confidential release, but it certainly does not impose a mandate,” she said. “There are over 900 public school districts in California and many do not offer their students confidential medical release. Modesto's current policy is parent- friendly. Unfortunately, Modesto has sided with Planned Parenthood for now, against parents.”
England qualified her statement with “for now” because the June 22 vote was preliminary. “Modesto parents still have time to protect their rights, however, because the board members will cast a new vote on July 13.”
According to the Bee, “Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Vice President Deborah Ortiz emphasized that the law regarding confidential medial services covers more than just sexual or reproduction issues. The organization operates a clinic in Modesto.”
“Medical services,” reported the Bee, “can include pregnancy testing, contraception, abortions, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, counseling and treatment for rape, drug abuse and mental health, and a variety of other medical services.”
“Modesto parents and pastors left the meeting fired up,” said England in her statement following the meeting. “They are ready to tell their communities what is going on -- so that more families can get involved, because people are still unaware.”
England said supporters of parental rights should contact school board members before the July 13 vote and should attend the next meeting.
Modesto City School Board Members
Steven Grenbeaux, board president (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) -- Email: grenbeaux.s@monet.k12.ca.us
Kimberly Gerber Spina, board vice president (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) – Email: spina.k@monet.k12.ca.us
Nancy Cline, board member (voted to require parental consent and knowledge) – Email: cline.n@monet.k12.ca.us
Steve Collins, board member (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) – Email: steveco854@aol.com
Gary Lopez, board member, (voted to require parental consent and knowledge) – Email: mfdfirecap@aol.com
Cindy Marks, board member (voted to require parental consent and knowledge) – Email: marks.c@monet.k12.ca.us
Belinda Rolicheck, board member (voted to allow students to leave campus without parental consent or knowledge) – Email: brolicheck@hotmail.com
