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6/30/2010

NHGOP Files Right To Know Request Regarding Shea-Porter Student Records Acquisition

Congresswoman Refuses To Answer Questions About How She Obtained Personal Records Without Informing School Superintendent

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Republican Party today filed a Right to Know request with the Manchester School District asking for all correspondence between district employees and Congresswoman Shea-Porter’s office. The Union Leader reports today that Congresswoman Shea-Porter is refusing to answer questions about how she obtained personal student information from the school district without informing the Superintendent.
 
“Carol Shea-Porter’s unwillingness to answer any questions about how she obtained personal student information raises serious concerns that need to be addressed. These records are extremely sensitive, and Manchester parents have not been assured that either Congresswoman Shea-Porter or the school district has handled them properly,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “If Carol Shea-Porter has nothing to hide, she should break her silence and immediately discuss how she acquired these records without informing the Manchester Superintendent."

Manchester Superintendent Thomas Brennan has launched an internal inquiry to determine how Congresswoman Shea-Porter obtained this information and to review city school policies. He also told the Union Leader that “If I had my way, I don’t think we should share this information.”

The NHGOP today also renewed its call for Congresswoman Shea-Porter to disclose the names of other schools across the 1st District that provided records to her office.
 
“Carol Shea-Porter’s unwillingness to disclose which school districts have turned over student records to her office raises serious questions about her commitment to open and transparent government. She needs to break her suspicious silence and let 1st District parents know if she has acquired their child’s personal information,” said Williams.