CONCORD — A Madison father and his teenage son last week testified to the N.H. House Education committee in support of a bill that calls for a state study committee on bullying.
The House Education Policy and Administration Committee, chaired by Glenn Cordelli (R-Tuftonboro) was taking testimony on SB 210. Sen. Donovan Fenton (D-Keene) sponsored the bill, which, if passed, would create a study committee consisting of one senator and three House members to “study the issue of school bullying” and report its findings to the president of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Senate clerk, the House clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before Nov. 1.
The bill has passed the Senate and had its first hearing before the House Committee on April 9; however, Cordelli continued it to Wednesday to allow for more public input. A member of the committee is Rep. Steve Woodcock (D-Conway), though he didn’t appear to be present Wednesday.
Kevin Clifford is the father of a Kennett High School hockey player who went to Superior Court to get a restraining order on behalf of his son against another player. While Judge Mark Attorri didn’t grant the order, he left the case open until the boys graduate.
Clifford also is suing another student on the hockey team for $1.5 million for allegedly bulling his son. The other player denies Clifford’s accusations.
In his Wednesday testimony in Concord, he told the committee: “Our son was forced to recently leave school and the hockey program in his senior year, and we were forced to spend thousands and thousands of dollars in legal fees defending ourselves from false and retaliatory criminal charges connected to us going public with the sexual harassment, bullying and abuse at Kennett High School in Conway.
“Over the course of four years, my son was subjected to ongoing bullying, sexual harassment and physical abuse while attending the Kennett High School and participating in a hockey program.”
Clifford said in January 2024, his son was towel whipped by another student and lost vision in one eye temporarily. He said other students tried to urinate on his son.
Clifford said he forced the Conway School District to investigate and said the district’s lawyers came up with a report that claimed his son “can’t read social cues.” He said taking a school district to court is difficult and costly.
“When the fox is investigating who killed the chickens in the henhouse, you can’t rely on the fox,” said Clifford. “It is critically important that an unbiased committee is convened to investigate the very troubling bullying and abuse issues that are being perpetrated against our innocent students here in New Hampshire.”
SAU 9 Superintendent Aimee Frechette watched the hearing and shared a statement with the Sun that said: “The district categorically stands by the process that was followed in this matter in accordance with policy, procedure and law as well as all decisions that were made.
“We stand by our students, coaches, staff and families in regards to the allegations being made and have thoroughly investigated all allegations that have been brought to our attention.”
Frechette continued, “As always, I encourage community members who have concerns regarding any issue within our schools to go through the proper channels to ensure concerns are heard and resolved if necessary. Furthermore, I encourage community members to remember that what is stated and often flaunted in our local newspaper may not always be factual but cannot often be discussed publicly by members of our district.”
Clifford’s son, Danya, also testified. He said he left Kennett High School as a senior because the bullying became too extreme. He said some of the bullies “obscenely” exposed themselves and tried to urinate on him and other players.
Danya Clifford said the state committee is necessary.
“I’m here today because silence is no longer an option. I gave four years to Kennett hockey, and it broke me. I came forward to report sexual harassment, violence and humiliation. Instead of being protected, I was punished, isolated and bullied and pushed out, not just from the team, but from the school itself.”
The teen said he was made to practice with the freshmen and was denied playing time in the Christmas tournaments. Danya also said he was accused of assaulting another player. He said he tried to report the abuse through channels but that athletic and school district officials ignored him.
“I spoke out again, this time publicly at multiple school board meetings asking who was going to protect me and the other students,” said Danya. “But still, no one was held accountable. The abusers weren’t disciplined. The hockey coaches were not put on a corrective plan. The administrative board acted like nothing ever happened. When the season started, I had high hopes going public would stop retaliation. Instead, it got worse.”
Others also testified to the committee about bullying.
Synergy Academy Chartered Public School in Concord founder and co-director Sarah Koutroubas said 80 percent of their students faced significant abuses before coming to Synergy. That included being subjected to death threats and being beaten in bathrooms, hallways and classrooms, she said.
Parental rights advocate Ann Marie Banfield said the daughter of a friend was thrown down the stairs in a school and hospitalized. She suggested a solution to the issue that Clifford raised about suing schools.
“These are families who are living paycheck to paycheck and do not have the funds to pursue a lawsuit,” said Banfield. “Maybe a trust fund set up by the state where all schools in the state contribute tax dollars for families to seek justice would be a good idea.”
Several speakers from the public came from the Seabrook area, including Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R-Seabrook). He said the problem stems from a lack of discipline.
“We have children during middle school with the promise of growth, learning, opportunity, yet for many, that promise is broken by relentless bullying and unchecked aggression,” said Sabourin dit Choinière. “In some schools, it’s not uncommon for students to face threats, harassment, even physical assault, all while administrative struggle or sometimes refuse to enforce meaningful consequences.”
Cordelli said the committee will take a look at the bill and current laws and see what needs to be done. The committee may meet again in the first week in May.
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