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Somersworth board adopts multiple policy revisions; committee cites federal rule changes
Summary
The board moved through a slate of policy reviews and adoptions tied to state and federal rule changes, including updates to nondiscrimination and grievance procedures and library materials, student discipline and concussion policies.
The Somersworth School Board completed first and second readings and adopted a set of policy revisions the board said were largely driven by recent state and federal guidance.
Board member Marsha Brown, who chairs the policy committee, walked members through several first-reading items and said many edits were clerical or intended to align district policy with updated Department of Education and other guidance. Brown said the committee added a human-rights-officer reference to the nondiscrimination policy and restored a level‑3 appeal step in the grievance procedure after earlier changes were found to raise due‑process concerns.
On the food-and-nutrition anti-discrimination policy (ACF), Brown and other members said language referencing gender identity and sexual orientation was struck to reflect a change in federal guidance; a committee member warned that retaining the language could risk federal funding, and the committee recommended adopting the NHSBA (New Hampshire School Boards Association) model language that aligns with current federal requirements. Brown and assistant superintendent Kat explained that the district will add clarifying references for the public at second reading so residents understand why the change was made.
The board also adopted several second-reading policies by voice vote including library-materials selection (IJL), student discipline and due process (JICD), concussion and head-injury policy (JLCJ), and forms and procedures for reconsideration of instructional materials (KEC, KEC‑R). In each case board members said revisions were minor or required by law, and there was no recorded opposition.
Board members encouraged clear public communication about the rationale for changes, particularly where federal funding consequences were discussed. Several members asked staff to include references in the next packet clarifying statutory or federal citations that prompted revisions.
Votes to adopt the listed policies were taken by voice; board members indicated approval by saying “aye.”
