School Clinics

On May 1, the task force for the San Diego city schools’ proposed school-based clinics held a public hearing for input on the clinics. Unfortunately, very few parents learned of this hearing, so the turnout was poor. The school administration said they issued a press release. When I asked Assistant Supt. James Kaupp why the announcement was not made through the schools to the parents, he answered: “I did it the way I was told to.”

Tactics similar to this are being used across the nation to limit parental participation in the decision on whether to approve these controversial clinics, whose ultimate purpose is to establish a base for abortion referral and contraceptive disbursement or referral. The advance notice, for those of us who did get the word, was very short.

The speakers were quite evenly divided between eager, prospective providers, speaking in favor of the clinics, and the activists who oppose the destructive Planned Parenthood philosophy upheld by most of the clinic supporters.

The final speaker put it well: “The testimony by these providers tonight has been a depressing tale of failure. These are the experts who want more money to press on!”

Concerned parents will have a final chance to be heard when the recommendation from the task force comes back to the Board of Education meetings on July 1 and 8.

JOAN S. PATTON

La Jolla