For years, Seabrook schools within SAU21 have faced ongoing concerns regarding academic performance, bullying, and special education services. Parents, taxpayers, and community members have repeatedly brought these issues before the School Board, yet many feel meaningful improvements have been slow to materialize.
Several years ago, I addressed the School Board with concerns about curriculum quality and instructional practices. Rather than directly addressing those concerns, district leadership has often pointed to the need for additional funding. Taxpayers, however, deserve clear explanations: What specific academic deficiencies exist? What skills are students lacking? And what is the district’s concrete plan to improve outcomes?
More recently, the New Hampshire Department of Education conducted an audit of Seabrook’s special education services. The findings were deeply concerning—24 of the 25 cases reviewed were found to be noncompliant. In response, the School Board requested a broader review of additional Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to determine the scope of the problem. Many parents are left asking why the same administrators responsible for these failures remain in charge of correcting them.
Concerns about bullying have also persisted for years. Parents routinely come before the School Board seeking help for children who have been harassed, intimidated, or bullied. Too often, they feel their concerns are met with indifference rather than meaningful action.
One recent case involved two sisters who were repeatedly targeted by another student. According to the family, the conduct included cyberbullying, physical intimidation, harassment on the school bus, and continued behavior despite administrative intervention. The student responsible was reportedly suspended twice, and some incidents were referred to local law enforcement by the School Resource Officer.
The situation became so severe that one daughter was withdrawn from the school and enrolled elsewhere. The family maintains that the repeated harassment caused emotional distress and negatively affected her educational experience.
Under New Hampshire’s Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Act (RSA 193-F), schools are required to report substantiated incidents of bullying and cyberbullying to the New Hampshire Department of Education. When the parent requested that these incidents be reported, school administrators declined. The district then relied on legal counsel to defend that decision during the appeals process.
The parent first appealed to the School Board, where all but one member sided with the administration. Mediators also upheld the district’s position. Despite these setbacks, the parent continued to pursue the matter.
On June 11, the case was presented to the New Hampshire State Board of Education. After reviewing the evidence, the Board unanimously overturned the prior decision and determined that the incidents met the legal definition of bullying under state law. The district is now required to report the incidents accordingly.
The Board found that the conduct created emotional distress, interfered with educational opportunities, and contributed to a hostile educational environment—factors explicitly identified in New Hampshire’s bullying statute.
This decision raises important questions about bullying reporting practices within the district. If incidents that meet the legal definition of bullying are not being reported, then publicly available data may not accurately reflect students’ experiences.
The broader issue is accountability. Concerns about academics, special education compliance, and bullying have accumulated over many years. Yet many community members see little evidence that anyone is being held responsible when serious failures occur.
This family sought only one thing: recognition that what happened to their daughters was bullying. It should not take months of appeals and a hearing before the State Board of Education to reach that conclusion.
I encourage residents to watch the June 11 State Board of Education meeting and review the evidence for themselves. The Board’s unanimous decision serves as a reminder that parents deserve to be heard—and that schools must be transparent, accurate, and accountable when addressing bullying complaints.
SEE: NH STATE BOARD MEETING 6/11/2026 (1:09:00)
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Editor’s Note:
On June 19, 2026, the Banfield family experienced the unimaginable loss of their beloved son, Michael Joseph Banfield.
For many years, Michael courageously faced the challenges of a genetic disease while waiting for a transplant. His life touched countless people, and he was deeply loved by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
As Ann Marie shared:
“It is with great sadness that our beloved son passed away yesterday. We are devastated. May the Lord take my son into His loving arms. Please pray for his soul and our family as we go through this difficult time. We will need many prayers to get through this.”
During the coming days and weeks, the Banfield family will be grieving, making arrangements, and preparing to lay Michael to rest. To help ease some of the daily burdens they are facing, this Meal Train has been created to provide meals and practical support throughout the remainder of June and all of July.
Most importantly, we ask for your prayers. Please pray for Ann Marie, her husband, their son, and daughter as they navigate this profound loss. Pray that God’s peace, comfort, strength, and love would surround them each day.
While our hearts are broken, we are grateful for the time we were blessed to have with Michael and for the assurance of God’s promises. We take comfort in knowing that Michael is now in the loving presence of our Heavenly Father.
Thank you for supporting the Banfield family through your prayers, meals, and acts of kindness. Every gesture of love will mean more than words can express during this difficult season.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
Meal Train® for Ann Marie Banfield & Family
