New Course Material Opt-Out in Exeter Schools

Exeter area schools are bracing for a new state law that lets parents swap out course material for their children if they deem it's objectionable.

The law was recently passed by the Republican-dominated Legislature, which overrode a veto by Gov. John Lynch last month.

Lynch and the New Hampshire School Boards Association – among other groups – opposed the law, saying it's disruptive and too broadly worded. Lynch noted that parents are already allowed to pull their students out of classes is they object to the material being taught.

The bill was sponsored by state Rep. J.R. Hoell, R-Dunbarton, who said it allows parents to address "moral and academic" objections to course materials.

The Exeter Region Co-op School Board discussed the issue last week.

Board member Kate Miller called it a "challenge."

The law allows parents to work with schools to develop an alternative lesson plan for students – at the parents' cost.

The New Hampshire School Boards Association was concerned about vagaries in the law. In a statement, it said:

The law does not address what happens to a student in the interim while an alternative lesson is being developed by parents and administrators. Questions remain as to whether the student stay in class? Is the student removed from class? What happens if the student misses significant class time while the parents and administrators seek to find an agreed to alternative? The law is silent on these issues.

The full text of the law can be found here.

Exeter Region Co-op Board Chair Patty Lovejoy said the district will try its best to comply with the law.

"(Schools) will work with (parents) to come up with a reasonable alternative and the cost is up to the parents," she said.