Superintendent says Oyster River will join NEA lawsuit; board hears warning about anti‑DEI language in senate budget

The Oyster River Cooperative School District will move to join a multi‑district legal challenge of federal guidance on diversity programs, Superintendent Sean Harrison told the school board on Wednesday.

"We anticipate that, in federal court, New Hampshire, that, we will officially join the NEA v. U.S. Department of Education lawsuit," Harrison said, adding that the district has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union and other districts on the matter and expected confirmation from legal counsel shortly. He said joining the suit follows prior board action to engage legal representation.

Separately, a board member who attended a recent state senate budget hearing warned the board that an amendment in the senate budget contains language that would broadly prohibit public schools from implementing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The board member said the amendment would give the state commissioner of education authority to review contracts and determine violations without a formal appeals process, and that such language could put federal, state and local funding at risk.

State Representative Lauren Selig used the meeting's public comment period to urge public participation in a community listening session next Wednesday and reported that public testimony at a senate budget hearing was overwhelmingly opposed to the current budget draft.

What happens next: Harrison said the district expected formal notice from the ACLU confirming the district's participation in the NEA‑led suit. The board and staff noted the presence of parallel efforts at the state level and encouraged community members to weigh in with the senate finance committee on budget language.