Seabrook administrators have been failing their students for several years now. Parents are so desperate, they are asking for media attention. I sent this to a few media outlets in New Hampshire:
Dear Media Reporters :
I am writing to you today as a parent advocate in New Hampshire. I’ve been advocating on behalf of parents for almost twenty years now, and I have never taken a dime from anyone during this time. Teachers and parents have become desperate. The student behavior problems in Keene have driven some teachers out of the Keene School District.
There are many factors that I believe are contributing to these behavior issues that certainly seem to be escalating this issue. One is the addition of the MTSS-B. (Multi Tiered System of Support – Behavior) Bad behavior can now be treated as if it’s a mental health issue in school. This is a framework that was instituted in many schools across the country over the last few years.
The MTSS-B includes: SEL or Social and Emotional Learning for all students (Tier 1), visits to school counselors for escalating behavior problems (Tier 2), and then a visit to a Tier 3 provider or an NGO outside the school system. This NGO can provide other mental health services to children but there are sometimes conflicting opinions on whether these NGOs are really helping. I’ve heard from teachers that it has been used as a way for administrators to lower suspensions, but they aren’t always seeing improvement in the students. Teachers who contact me will not speak publicly about these failures due to the backlash they would receive from school administrators.
Parents in Seabrook have been coming before the School Board for several years now, reporting serious behavior and bullying issues in the school. I’ve been monitoring this situation in hopes that something would be done to curb the bullying. I’m sad to say that the problems persist.
Two Seabrook parents spoke on April 2nd at the School Board meeting practically begging someone to fix this problem. The former board members were just as frustrated by the inaction from school administrators in the past. During this meeting you will hear a lot of excuses for this enormous failure. You can also hear the first parent speak about how the administrators told her NOT to contact the school board to report her son being bullied.
During the meeting, the parents said they wanted media action. I agree, this has been an ongoing problem in Seabrook for many years. This is an administrative failure, and parents are desperate. I am urging you to start covering the problem of bullying in our local public schools. This is one of the main drivers for families to remove their children from the public schools and choose school choice assistance.
As you can see from these parents, the emotional toll this is taking on these children is heartbreaking. They need action, and yet the administrators sit there with blank stares offering no plan of action to get these problems resolved.
One mother says that because the suspensions stopped, and bullying is treated like a mental health problem, this has allowed students to get away with their bad behavior. The bullies are manipulating this entire system now.
SEE SHORT VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxIAm4QXWxVN_ztnbRU6BnwnKkDhQVL2Dt
I am willing to speak to anyone who is interested in covering this issue now plaguing Seabrook.
PLEASE go to the March and April School Board meetings, and listen to what these parents are reporting.
1) Parent speaks at MARCH school board meeting: 14:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0p6eTFEpA&t=2766s
1) Parent 1 speaks at APRIL School Board Meeting: 5:14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VHGk7Rcvo4&t=540s
2) Parent 2 speaks at 9:00
Thank you for your attention. I plan to keep you informed going forward.
Ann Marie Banfield
Parent Advocate
North Hampton, NH
