District Investigating Program on Safe Sex

After some parents expressed outrage at not being notified in advance of a safe-sex presentation shown during an assembly at Moorpark High School, district Assistant Supt. Frank DePasquale said he is investigating the content of the program to determine whether it violated district policy on sex education.

The assembly, presented last week by Kaiser Permanente, discussed ways of preventing or transmitting the HIV virus, which causes AIDS.

“I think our rights were violated,” said Holly Tolliver, whose son attends Moorpark High. “The students were not given a chance to be in another room. In other situations, we were told about the assembly and the students were given the opportunity to not attend.”

Jacques Varin, whose daughter attends the school, agreed.

“It was way out of line,” Varin said. “From what I understand, it was kind of like a pornographic book shop made available for students.”

But Vincent DeCenzo, program coordinator of the event for Kaiser, said the assembly’s main message is abstinence.

School board member Tom Baldwin said the assembly conflicted with the district’s policy that requires parents to be notified when subjects involving prevention of sexually transmitted diseases are to be discussed. He said the policy requires parents to give their written permission before their children can hear the information.

Moorpark High Principal Max Freeman could not be reached for comment.