Several health professionals opposed a Howard public schools policy that would allow confidential information about a student?s pregnancy to be shared with principals and parents.

“Although surveys show that most adolescents will seek routine medical care with their parents? knowledge, making parental involvement or notification mandatory drastically affects adolescent decision-making and reduces the likelihood that teens will seek timely treatment,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, medical director for the Howard County Health Department, during a Howard County School Board meeting Thursday.