CONCORD, NH – House Education Policy and Administration Vice-Chair Katy Peternel (R-Wolfeboro) released the following statement after the introduction of SB 434, relative to regulation of public school materials, into the House Education Policy and Administration committee.
“Transparency is always the best policy. SB 434 ensures that school districts create and publicly post policies concerning age-appropriate curriculum materials, without banning or removing a single book from any school in the State of New Hampshire,” said Peternel.
“Let me ask these questions: Why are administrators so afraid of the idea of having a policy to address objectionable materials? Is it because they know that parents have concerns about what is being taught to third graders? Is there something that districts are hiding from parents? Or is it that they’re simply afraid of accountability?”
She concluded, “House Republicans believe that parents need to have the ultimate say in their child’s education. By ensuring that school districts communicate with families, we are strengthening the partnership between parents and educators and ensuring much-needed transparency and accountability in curriculum development.”
Background:
SB 434 requires local school districts to adopt and publicly post policies outlining procedures to address complaints alleging that material is harmful or age-inappropriate for use in the district’s schools. This bill does not remove a single book from any New Hampshire library or school.