Board approves updated policy on student confidentiality after debate over parental notification and judicial bypass language
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Summary
The board approved a revised student confidentiality and notification policy (Policy 5.28) after a contested discussion about whether to add language referencing judicial bypass for minors seeking abortion-related care. An amendment to insert judicial-bypass language failed; separate language about handbook notices was adopted.
The Concord School District Board approved revisions to Policy 5.28 on student confidentiality and parent notification after extended discussion and competing amendment motions.
The policy review included two proposed amendments. One would reinsert a sentence requiring that the student handbook and nurse/guidance notices explain that the district may be required to disclose certain medical information to parents; the other would add language referencing judicial bypass provisions that can allow a minor to obtain certain medical care without parental notification.
Board Member Cara moved the amendment to restore handbook notices; the amendment passed after discussion and a second. Miss Meeker supported restoring the sentence but raised the policy tradeoffs and noted nurses already advise students about reporting obligations. The board approved that insertion.
A separate amendment to add language about judicial bypass prompted a longer legal discussion. Board Member Miss Meeker opposed the judicial‑bypass insertion, saying the proposed sentence risked misleading staff about the protection available under RSA provisions and that judicial‑bypass proceedings are confidential and sealed. She argued teachers and staff might think they were covered by a specific RSA when that protection did not apply.
Board Member Cara proposed sending the policy back to committee for further revision to reconcile student privacy rights and staff obligations; that motion tied and failed. The attempted judicial‑bypass amendment later failed in a board vote, after which the underlying policy 5.28 was approved by the board.
Board members and staff said the policy changes aim to balance students’ privacy, nurses’ duty to report in specific circumstances and parents’ right to be informed in ordinary situations. No further edits were made on the floor at final passage; the board handled one amendment to restore handbook language and rejected that judicial‑bypass insertion.