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CRI: Parents the Enemy According to Some School Districts
Written by on June 23, 2009, 08:15 PM
Parents are the Enemy According to Some School Districts
Parents May Be Excluded in Modesto and Fairfield- Suisun Capitol Resource Institute, 6/23/09 The school board in Modesto City School District voted 4-3 to exclude parents from knowing when their children leave class for confidential medical services, in a meeting last night. Modesto parents still have time to protect their rights, however, because the board members will cast a new vote on July 13. "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," said Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute. She drove to Modesto and testified with parents, at the request of citizens in Modesto. The discussion was over proposed Board Policy 5113, which pertains to confidential medical appointments for students as young as 12 years of age. The associate superintendents who proposed this policy claimed that it would "meet a mandate for such policy and regulation." BP 5113's actual language was written by the California School Boards Association, which advises many districts on their school board policies. In reality, there is no mandate. State law says that "school authorities MAY excuse any pupil" (Cal. Educ.C. 46010.1, emphasis added). England pointed this out during the meeting. The law provides permission for implementing confidential release, but it certainly does not impose a mandate. 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. This vote was only the first reading, however, and the board's final vote will be at its second reading during the next meeting. CRI is hopeful that one or two board members can be persuaded to vote for parental knowledge of what happens to their children at school. Modesto parents and pastors left the meeting fired up. They are ready to tell their communities what is going on -- so that more families can get involved, because people are still unaware. Here are four ways to take action and defend parents' rights in Modesto: Contact the board members, contact the media, educate your friends, and show up at the next board meeting. Contact every board member, so they can go to the final vote saying that the community has spoken. Urge them to enact a parent-friendly policy. Tell them to include parents, not exclude parents. It is possible to sway some votes and protect families in Modesto. Steven Grenbeaux - voted to exclude parents Board President Term: 2007-2011 grenbeaux.s@monet.k12.ca.us Kimberly Gerber Spina - voted to exclude parents Vice President Term: 2007-2011 spina.k@monet.k12.ca.us Nancy Cline - voted to INCLUDE parents Term: 2001-2009 cline.n@monet.k12.ca.us Steve Collins - voted to exclude parents Term: 2005-2009 steveco854@aol.com Gary Lopez - voted to INCLUDE parents Term: 1999-2011 mfdfirecap@aol.com Cindy Marks - voted to INCLUDE parents Term: 1997-2009 marks.c@monet.k12.ca.us Belinda Rolicheck - voted to exclude parents Term: 2005-2009 brolicheck@hotmail.com You can also contact the Modesto Bee online at www.modb ee.com/contactus/. FAIRFIELD-SUISAN SCHOOL DISTRICT In addition, CRI has learned that Fairfield-Suisan School District will be voting on a confidential medical release policy. The item to be discussed is Board Policy 5113. Current policy states, "The Board believes that 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." That is sound policy. It should be allowed to stand. The Fairfield meeting will be held this Thursday. Thursday, July 25, at 7 p.m. FSUSD Administrative Offices 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield Meeting to be broadcast on Comcast Channel 26 We urge you to attend the board meeting, and ahead of the meeting, to contact the board members. Ask them to include parents. The board members' information is below. Charles Wood Board President Term expires December 2009 cwoodcpa@sbcglobal.net Pat Shamansky Vice President Term expires December 2011 Patsham@fsusd.k12.ca.us Dave Gaut Clerk Term expires December 2009 daveg@fsusd.k12.ca.us Helen Tilley Acting Clerk Term expires December 2011 helent@fsusd.k12.ca.us Susan Heumphreus Term expires December 2011 susanh@fsusd.k12.ca.us Anne Griffin Term expires December 2009 annerussg@sbcglobal.net Kathy Marianno Term expires December 2011 KathyMa@fsusd.k12.ca.us New Comment |
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