LETTER: Bedford IB Threatened by HB 1403

By Tim Mayes, Superintendent, Bedford School District

Dear Parents, Students and Staff:

I am writing concerning legislation (HB 1403) that is under consideration in the NH Senate that was recently passed by the NH House of Representatives. HB 1403 includes language that would prohibit New Hampshire schools from implementing the International Baccalaureate Program (IB). A portion of the text of HB 1403 reads as follows:

“In continuing recognition of the duty to provide public school pupils with fundamental knowledge and learning as established by the New Hampshire Constitution and the Constitution of the United States of America, a public school or public academy shall be deemed to meet school approval standards only if the curriculum and instruction of the school or academy promotes state and national sovereignty and is not subject to the governance of a foreign body or organization. Proof of governance of a foreign body or organization may be demonstrated in several ways, including, but not limited to:

• Use of a specific name to promote the school, such as “world school;” or
• Required inspections or visits to ensure compliance with programs, rules, or polices of the foreign body or organization; or
• A requirement that arbitration of disputes relating to the implementation of any program be conducted outside of the State of New Hampshire, or be settled by, or in accordance with, any source of legal authority other than state or federal law.“

If HB 1403 were to be approved by the NH Senate and signed into law by Governor Lynch, Bedford High School would need to stop offering the IB Program in order to be in compliance. HB 1403 also calls for a legislative committee to “… study issues relating to the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Program in New Hampshire.” See the link below for the full text of HB 1403 in addition to other related links.

If one wanted to comment on this bill, the Senate Education Committee will be holding a public hearing tentatively scheduled on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at a place and time to be determined in Concord, NH. Additionally, the Bedford School Board will be hosting the Bedford Legislative Delegation on Monday, April 9, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the board room in the SAU Office Building to discuss this bill and other legislation currently under consideration.

Related Links

• Full text of HB 1403 – http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/HB1403.html

• Information concerning Bedford High School IB Program – http://www.sau25.net/curriculum.cfm?subpage=1226253 and at http://www.sau25.net/bedfordHigh.cfm?subpage=322350

• NH Senate Contact Information – http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/members/senate_roster.aspx

• NH Senate Education Committee Composition and Schedule of Hearings – http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/committees/committee_details.aspx?cc=S05

• Bedford School Board Contact Information – http://www.sau25.net/schoolboard.cfm?subpage=691137

• Bedford High School IB Coordinator - Peter Gagnon, 310-9000, gagnonp@sau25.net

• Bedford High School Principal - William Hagen, 310-9000, hagenw@sau25.net