NH Dem lashes out at voter over parental rights bill: ‘Let teachers teach, and be quiet’.

New Hampshire Democrat Tells Parent to “Shut Up” Over Parental Rights Bill

Democratic Lawmaker’s Aggressive Response to Parent’s Request for Parental Rights Bill

A New Hampshire state representative, Tom Hoyt, responded aggressively to a local parent’s request to pass a parental bill of rights measure “without any amendments.” Emails obtained by the NH Journal show that Hoyt told the parent to “let the teachers teach, and shut up.” The lawmaker’s outburst comes as states across the country work to pass laws that prevent public schools from withholding information from students’ parents.

Parental Rights Bill Defeated in New Hampshire House

The bill Hoyt opposed would have ensured New Hampshire parents have a “fundamental right and responsibility to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children.” It also would have barred schools from withholding information about a student’s health or behavior. The legislation sparked an uproar among New Hampshire Democrats, with state party chairman Ray Buckley arguing that if the bill passed, “some kids” would be “beaten (to death).” The New Hampshire House in a Thursday vote went on to narrowly reject the legislation.

Republican Spokeswoman Criticizes Hoyt’s Response

Republican State Leadership Committee spokeswoman Stephanie Rivera criticized Hoyt’s response, stating that “Representative Hoyt should be ashamed of himself for his disgusting comments and for trying to silence New Hampshire parents by taking away their rights to decide what is best for their children’s education.”

Other Northeast Democrats Oppose School Transparency Measures

Hoyt is not the only Northeast Democrat to parental rights bill: ‘Let teachers teach, and be quiet’.”>aggressively oppose school transparency measures in recent days. After a New Jersey school board enacted a policy requiring teachers to tell parents about their child’s gender identity, Democratic state attorney general Matt Platkin filed a civil rights complaint against the board.

• Florida, Georgia, and Arizona have passed laws preventing public schools from withholding information from students’ parents.
• The New Hampshire House narrowly rejected the parental rights bill.
• Democratic state attorney general Matt Platkin filed a civil rights complaint against a New Jersey school board’s policy requiring teachers to tell parents about their child’s gender identity.

It is important for parents to have a say in their children’s education and to be informed about their child’s health and behavior. Lawmakers should work to pass legislation that protects parental rights and promotes transparency in schools.