BY SUSAN WARE
If Superintendent Dr. Charles Littlefield has his way, the state will begin leveling registered sex offenders, making it easier for policy makers to institute safety measures.
“In New Hampshire, we paint all registered sex offenders with such a broad brush, we really need some indication of who’s who,” said Littlefield.
Littlefield met with state Rep. David Hess, local police and the School Board’s policy subcommittee on July 12 to discuss the new policy in regards to sex offenders and their access to schools that is being drafted, and how it can be most effective.
While state law prohibits registered sex offenders from working or volunteering with children, there is no law in regards to registered sex offenders who have business on school campuses, such as making deliveries or picking up their children.
“If we had leveling, we may deal with a Level I offender different than a Level II or Level III. A Level I is least likely to re-offend, but now gets the same restrictions as a serial rapist,” said Littlefield.
Littlefield spent 20 years as the superintendent of schools in Methuen, Mass., and as a policy maker, he liked the leveling system.
“At least you know exactly what you are dealing with. It would help us put up red flags where they are needed,” he said.
The flip side of this argument is the matter of Kingsford Swan, the Level I sex offender from Massachusetts who was caught this month teaching local children to ice skate. As a Level I offender, he was not required to register in Massachusetts, so when his New Hampshire employers did a background check, his conviction did not show up.
Littlefield likes the leveling system, but feels that information on all levels should be available to the public, to prevent instances like that from happening. In New Hampshire, every convicted sex offender is required to register, regardless of the crime.
Littlefield asked Hess what the likelihood of the Granite State adopting a leveling system is.
“He told me that the Legislature has put it out to study and that there is real interest on the legislatures part. But whether it happens or not remains to be seen,” said Littlefield.
Hess did not return calls for comment.
The policy subcommittee is looking at all safety policies in regards to students and is working to make sure that these procedures are adequate, in writing and actual policies.
The School Board was moved to adopt a policy regarding sex offenders on school campuses because of a registered offender who picks up his children at the Fred C. Underhill School each afternoon. This individual qualifies for the state sex offender registry as he was convicted of a 632-A:3, III Felonious Sexual Assault, victim under 13 years of age.
Littlefield points out that studies show that while most sex offenders know their victims, it is not always the case.
“We want to protect against the offender we know, as well as the offender we don’t know,” he said.
The policy subcommittee meets again on Aug. 2.
Once the policy subcommittee drafts a registered sex offender policy, it will be given three public readings, during School Board meetings, before it is adopted. When students return to school in the fall, a letter will go home updating parents on any changes.