The Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously last week to delete a policy that stated the district could allow high school students to leave school for medical reasons without the notification of a parent because of confidentiality.

District high schools, as a practice, don’t release students without parent notification, and that practice hasn’t changed despite the policy, which had been adopted 16 months ago as part of a larger series of policies.

Janet Cosaro, assistant superintendent, instructional services, confirmed that in the last two years there have been no exceptions.

Board Policy 5141.6, which was adopted in August 2008, addressed the offering of physical and mental health services to students. It also referenced off-campus trips for these services.

In September 2009, board member Michael Dunn requested that the district add wording that’s included in the district’s Annual Notice of Rights and Responsibilities that states the district doesn’t release students without parental consent.

Cosaro recommended that the policy be deleted altogether, and the board followed her lead.

—Joann Groff