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Bedford board reviews athletics policy language after state law citation; Title IX conflict noted
Summary
Board members discussed a draft athletics policy that cites state law restricting female-designated teams; staff said the policy mirrors state statute and noted ongoing federal litigation and a preliminary court injunction affecting other districts.
The Bedford School Board discussed a revised athletics policy at its Jan. 27 meeting that includes language taken from state law about sex-designated sports and clarifies registration-document requirements for student athletes.
Assistant Superintendent Tom Laliberte (presenting changes developed with athletic directors) told the board the draft replaces older wording and clarifies registration and eligibility procedures, including that the district will require an official birth certificate when a state statute referenced in the draft requires sex-designated teams to be limited to biological females. Laliberte said athletic directors are not currently reporting local disputes but the language is being included so the district’s policy clearly reflects existing state law if a case arises.
Board members noted a legal conflict described in the packet between the state statute cited in the policy and federal Title IX protections; the packet also flagged a preliminary injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire in litigation affecting other districts. The superintendent said the commissioner’s office had advised districts to follow state law while the legal process plays out and asked that that communication be circulated to board members.
The draft also removed a specific brand/test name for baseline neuropsychological concussion testing and replaced it with a general requirement for neuropsychological testing prior to participation, so the district and schools can use tools appropriate to each level. The policy retains references to NHIAA rules and school handbooks as the detailed places where academics and eligibility standards are enforced.
Board members asked staff to ensure the policy text is updated if court orders or federal guidance change; they emphasized the need to include clear procedures for how an individual student matter would be handled (school, superintendent, and then the board as appellate body). No formal vote on the athletics policy took place; it was presented as a first read and will return for further review.
