School Climate & Safety News in Brief

N.H. Court Backs Counselor On Abortion Advice

By Mark Walsh — April 19, 2016 1 min read
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New Hampshire’s highest court has ruled that a district must reinstate a high school guidance counselor whose contract was not renewed after she clashed with her principal about how to handle a student’s desire to terminate her pregnancy.

Demetria McKaig, who was abiding by the 15-year-old girl’s wishes, and the principal of Farmington High School, disagreed about telling the girl’s mother.

McKaig consulted with the American Civil Liberties Union and passed some information to it about the girl. Later, she received a notice of nonrenewal.

The supreme court found that she was not insubordinate, had “acted consistently with policies and practices applicable to her role as guidance counselor,” and did not breach student confidentiality.

A version of this article appeared in the April 20, 2016 edition of Education Week as N.H. Court Backs Counselor On Abortion Advice

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