Somersworth School Board reports joining lawsuit challenging U.S. Department of Education guidance; certification with addendum possible if court deadline holds

The Somersworth School Board reported on April 22 that the district has joined a multi-district lawsuit with the National Education Association and the ACLU challenging a U.S. Department of Education “Dear Colleagues” letter, and that district officials are preparing to sign a state certification with an explanatory addendum if a federal-court injunction does not suspend the certification deadline.

Superintendent Shea told the board the suit argues the Department of Education letter — described in the meeting as the Feb. 14 “Dear Colleagues” letter — is “too vague and too ambiguous,” and that the district joined other New Hampshire and regional districts in asking a court for temporary relief. Shea said the New Hampshire District Court could rule on an injunction before the federal certification deadline and that the district is preparing to certify with an addendum if the injunction does not arrive in time.

The issue…