Dear Legislators, State Board Members, Commissioner Davis, and Members of the Media,
My name is Ann Marie Banfield, and I am a parent advocate in New Hampshire focused on excellence in education.
I am writing to bring your attention to a serious and ongoing issue affecting students in certain public schools, with the situation in Seabrook becoming especially visible and concerning.
As a resident of SAU21, which includes Seabrook, I have been closely following persistent problems involving bullying, low proficiency scores, and significant failures in special education (SPED) services. These issues have not only continued over time but appear to be worsening.
Recently, the New Hampshire Department of Education completed an audit of Seabrook’s special education services. The findings were alarming: 24 out of 25 audited cases were found to be noncompliant. In response, the School Board has requested a broader audit of remaining Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to better understand the scope of these failures.
At a recent school board meeting, a parent—who also works professionally with SPED students—shared detailed concerns about her own child’s IEP. Due to her expertise, she was able to clearly articulate systemic deficiencies in how school administrators have handled her son’s case. Her testimony highlighted not just isolated issues, but patterns that suggest deeper structural problems.
These concerns are not new. They have persisted for over two years. After learning about the widespread failures identified in the audit, this parent felt compelled to provide additional detail so the board could fully grasp the severity of the situation. I ask: how can a problem be fixed if it is not fully identified?
Disturbingly, shortly after speaking publicly, this parent was contacted regarding alleged truancy. However, as she has explained, she has been unable to safely send her child to school due to the school’s failure to properly implement his IEP. She has repeatedly requested that administrators resolve these issues so her son can return safely, but those concerns remain unaddressed.
To view the entire board meeting go here. (22:21 and 49:00) If you would like additional information or wish to speak with her directly, please contact me and I will facilitate that connection. She has retained an advocate who, in 20 years of experience, has stated that this is among the most severe cases he has encountered.
I am sharing this information as you consider new laws such as open enrollment. While my preference has always been to work collaboratively with district administrators to resolve issues locally, the situation in Seabrook reflects a breakdown in leadership and accountability. In many cases, administrators are willing to work with families—but in this instance, systemic failures have reached a critical point.
Parents are now expressing fear of retaliation for speaking out. This is unacceptable. No parent should feel silenced when advocating for their child’s safety and education. Yet here we are watching as one parent in Seabrook describes how her advocacy for her son resulted in district administrators retaliating against her.
https://www.youtube.com/clip/Ugkx4_dz5FUPeGlQPGl88rucWGrIFbmxZYhg
These are not isolated incidents. We have a serious problem in this state when teachers and parents face retaliation for simply sharing what is going on in their school.
While I have not previously supported open enrollment legislation, I finally decided to add my support to Senate Bill 101. The current circumstances underscore the urgent need for viable options for families in districts where leadership is failing. These children cannot wait for another study committee, while their educational and personal well-being are at risk.
If there are more effective solutions to address these systemic issues, I am open to hearing them. However, in the absence of timely and meaningful action, families must have access to alternatives.
These children cannot be ignored. Their safety, education, and futures depend on it.
Sincerely,
Ann Marie Banfield
Parent Advocate in New Hampshire
