Clinic Study Backed

In reference to last week’s article on the city schools and social issues (“Payzant Presses On Despite Resistance to School Changes,” July 27), I would like to clarify the proposal that was before the Board of Education regarding the health care clinics. At the time that the vote was taken, several options were available.

The board could have: (1) voted to continue the task force and move into the second phase of study, which involved a district wide or site(s) needs assessment (including student and parent surveys of health care issues); (2) state an intent to move forward with the task force recommendations but separate out issues related to teen-age pregnancy, and (3) kill the proposal.

A majority of the board chose No. 3, so the other issues of what services would or would not be available never became part of the board’s deliberation. I agree that a vocal opposition was having difficulty separating out the issues. But a Board of Education empowered by the electorate to decide the merits of proposals before it could and should divide issues, whenever appropriate.

After the board had listened to over six hours of pro and con testimony over a two-week period, as chairperson I had invited members to separate the contraceptive-dispensing issue from the school-based clinic proposal. Board member Dorothy Smith noted that she could support a clinic that provided information and referral on family planning matters but not one that dispensed contraceptives on campus. Other board members indicated that they were not in favor of moving forward with any health clinic at this time.

I have never indicated, as was stated in last week’s article, my position on the dispensing of contraceptives on campus. I feel strongly that we should have explored the clinics further, and that both counseling and information regarding any number of matters involving health and mental health related problems of adolescence should be options discussed.

The health care issue cannot be ignored because we have many students in our schools whose unmet health needs continue to impact their educational future, the school system, our city and nation as a whole. I hope that the public will encourage the Board of Education to take a second look at a school-based clinic proposal that could answer some of these needs and thereby enable students to better focus on what our educational programs have to offer.

SUSAN DAVIS

President, Board of Trustees,

San Diego Unified School District