Concord School Board To Revise 'Professional Expectations' Policy

CONCORD, NH — Concord's Board of Education will consider a proposal to revamp its "professional expectations" policies for employees and teachers as well as protections for children after the arrest of a distinguished educator accused of child rape that shocked the capital city earlier this year. In the wake of the arrest Primo "Howie" Leung on aggravated rape of a child charges in Massachusetts, the board and SAU8 have been undergoing both procedural reviews and an internal investigation about the case, after revelations that administrators looked into what were later realized to be credible allegations against Leung, while he was kept on staff Concord High School.

Leung was released from his teacher contract in late June, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. His bail has been reduced to $7,500 in Massachusetts, according to the Concord Monitor, with his defense attorney claiming that Leung has adenoma near his brain, a benign tumor that can sometimes cause hormonal problems and other issues. Prison officials at the Middlesex County Jail report that Leung is still being housed there. Concord police are still investigating the case but have not issued any charges against Leung in New Hampshire.

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During the month of July, board members held a number of public hearings, trainings, and nonpublic meetings, to discuss the case, take in feedback from the public, and consider revisions.

One of the major revisions to the policy is the addition of a requirement to adhere to the state's new Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for credentialed educators in New Hampshire.

A new "employee-student relations" section of the district's employment policy seeks to "consistently and fairly" apply discipline while staffers will be banned from making derogatory comments to students, discouraged from exchanging gifts, and not fraternizing with students unless it is school-related. Staffers will not be allowed to associate with students in any situation or activity which might be considered sexually suggestive or involve tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. SAU8 employees may not have any personal social media communication with students and dating between staff members and students is prohibited.

The district's sexual harassment policy has also been "clarified" as well as defined in the wake of past accusations involving both students and personnel. One of the changes is a required reporting procedure for witnesses to potential sexual harassment cases. Administrators are now required to contact the Concord Police Department at the same time information is reported to the district's superintendent.

The board will also consider new and revised bullying definitions and information including "threatening in a manner that puts someone down or is cruel" or "deliberately excluding someone as a way to humiliate or demean them." New reporting for bullying accusations will include more expansive and enhanced communications between principals, administrators, and the students involved and their parents.

The board is meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, at the Mill Brook School, 53 South Curtisville Road in Concord, and will discuss the revisions to the board's policy.

To read the full presentation of additions and revisions to the policy, read the school board monthly packet, Pages 26 to 59, in pdf. format online.

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