Several years ago, I introduced with bipartisan support legislation requiring the establishment of a “Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct” for New Hampshire educators. That legislation, which is now law, establishes and identifies certain responsibilities that a professional educator must practice in the best interests of the student, community and the teaching profession.
It seems only reasonable that if we as legislators expect the professional educator to abide by these basic standards, that members of the Education Committee and Legislature should also act in a similar manner.
Within the written code, one of the basic principles states, “In fulfilling the responsibilities to the school community a credential holder shall ‘communicate responsibly’ among members of the school community, while ‘maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.’ ”
A Democratic member of the Education Committee’s recent use of profanity toward private and religious schools strays way beyond professional boundaries. The openly bias language toward private and religious schools as posted on the web defies basic principles of decency and conduct expected of elected officials. I am concerned that this member’s ability to listen without bias during any legislative hearing addressing religious or private schools is null.
As ranking Republican and former chair of that committee, I have never seen or heard of any remark made by a committee member to the public that dips this low. If the member who made these remarks is allowed to remain on the committee, I am fearful that all serving on the committee will be shadowed by their unacceptable behavioral standard.
Rep. RICK LADD
Haverhill