The most important advantage we can provide for our children is a great education and parents should be active in overseeing that process. Students are best served when educators and parents work together to help every child achieve their full potential. As a NH State Representative serving on the House Education Committee, my role is to advance policies that improve the quality and delivery of education.
Unfortunately, most of the education bills introduced this term do not further this objective. They are part of a national conservative agenda that will disrupt public education and erode the trust between parents and educators.
Senate Bill 272 which will now be taken up by the NH House, purports to establish a parents’ bill of rights and allows parents to sue the school or any school employee who violates the law. Almost all of the 'rights' delineated in the bill already exist in current law and are detailed on the NH Department of Education website. Parents can and do direct their child’s education. They can review the curriculum and opt their child out of any program, lesson, test, or survey if so desired. Parents have access to academic, medical and disciplinary records and can exempt their child from immunizations.
Other provisions included in the ill-conceived SB272 single out a vulnerable student population and interfere with the ability of a teacher or counselor to assist children by providing emotional support. Children, knowing the educator must legally divulge confidences to their parents upon request, will be intimidated into not confiding with any school employee. If they are being bullied, physically or emotionally abused, or have questions about their sexuality, they will be afraid to seek guidance. Teachers wary of legal repercussions will be fearful of providing counsel and students will suffer.
Schools need to be safe places for all students to grow and learn. SB272 is unnecessary, and will neither improve school communication nor help our children succeed academically. The unintended consequences will increase taxpayer costs for unnecessary litigation, contribute to teacher shortages, and further drive the wedge between educators and parents, to the detriment of our students.
Rep. Peggy Balboni represents Rockingham 38 - Greenland, North Hampton, Rye − in the NH House
Dennis Malloy and Peggy Balboni campaigning in Rye and Greenland. I serve with Peggy in the NH House and agree with her accompanying letter published by the Portsmouth Herald on Wednesday April 19, 2023.