A New Hampshire public school teacher was fired for taking a student to an abortion clinic without informing the student’s parents, according to an investigative report by the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, responding to criticism of public school employee misconduct, released several reports and complaints, including the one involving the teacher. This teacher had been counseling the student about her options for weeks before helping her terminate the pregnancy. The teacher called in sick from work, citing food poisoning, to accompany the student to the clinic.

The details of the report remain scant, with names and identifying information redacted. The teacher justified their actions by stating that the student had no support.

The teacher was dismissed shortly after the school administrators learned of the incident, raising concerns about transparency in public schools and reigniting debates over policies that keep information from parents. Some lawmakers expressed their outrage.

State Rep. Erica Layon (R-Derry) criticized the teacher’s actions, emphasizing that the student’s parents should have been involved and supported. State Sen. Tim Lang (R-Sanbornton) argued that schools must not keep secrets from parents, as it teaches children that deception is acceptable.

Melanie Israel from The Heritage Foundation warned that parents should be concerned about the extent of teachers’ involvement in students’ personal matters. The report highlights that the teacher counseled the student during school hours and then accompanied her for the abortion, also during school hours. This raises questions about parental permission and oversight.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office has not commented on whether the teacher will face criminal charges. The age of the student at the time of the abortion remains undisclosed. Under New Hampshire law, parents must be notified if the student is under legal age.

Israel also noted the potential implications of the Women’s Health Protection Act, supported by President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies. This act would override state laws, including parental notification requirements for minors seeking abortions. New Hampshire’s all-Democrat federal delegation supports this federal legislation, which would supersede local laws passed by state legislators.