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6/29/2010

NHGOP Calls On Shea-Porter To Immediately Return Personal Student Records

Congresswoman Grabs Individual Student Data From Manchester Public Schools

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Republican Party today called on Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter to immediately return all personal student records she has obtained from the Manchester School District. Today, the Union Leader (6/29/10) reports that Shea-Porter requested and obtained student identification information from the school department. There are serious questions about whether parents were properly notified about their right to withhold this information, and whether the distribution of this data violated school policies or federal law.
 
The NHGOP also expressed concerns about how this sensitive data was obtained and whether the Congresswoman intends to use it for political activities.
 
“Given the lingering questions about parental notification, serious concerns about how she intends to use this data, and the pending legal review, Carol Shea-Porter needs to immediately return these records to the school department,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “These records contain sensitive information about students, and parents have not been assured that the school district or Congresswoman Shea-Porter’s office has handled them properly.”
 
Manchester Superintendent Thomas Brennan has made conflicting statements about whether or not federal laws were violated by the distribution of these personal records. He also told the Union Leader that “If I had my way, I don’t think we should share this information.” In response to the release of this information to Shea-Porter’s office, he has launched a full legal review of city school policies.
 
Additionally, the Union Leader also reports that Congresswoman Shea-Porter may have obtained similar data from other school districts. However, she has refused to answer questions about which districts have provided information to her office.
 
“Carol Shea-Porter’s unwillingness to disclose which school districts she has obtained student information from raises serious questions about her commitment to open and transparent government. First District parents have a right to know if their Congresswoman has requested access to their children’s personal records,” said Williams.