NEWS DIGEST
Board removes Native American logo in gym
CONCORD (AP) — A New Hampshire school board voted to remove a Native American mascot from certain school logos after facing controversy.
Merrimack Valley High School held a meeting on the fate of the school’s logo where the board voted to remove the controversial mascot from gym banners, WMUR reported.
The vote came Monday after those against the mascot’s use asked the school board to permanently remove it.
“Our headdresses are very sacred to us. Each feather is earned. You have it on the floor as a mockery,” Andover resident Amy Moriarty said.
The board decided the mascot will remain in the school’s hall of fame as well as outside banners for one month every school year.
Board members also voted to create a history room that would include Native American school artifacts and asked curriculum to add content in the school education on local indigenous history.
N. H. mayor helps approve short-term rental rules
LACONIA (AP) — A measure restricting the operation of short-term rental lodging facilities in a New Hampshire city was approved.
Laconia Mayor Ed Engler broke a 3-3 tie on Tuesday to pass a change the city’s zoning ordinance that adds language regulating short-term rentals, the Laconia Daily Sun reported.
Residents of The Weirs will be able to offer their property for short-term rental, but it will be banned in other parts of the city unless the owner lives on the premises for at least 150 days each year.
The city council did make an exception for those who operate summer seasonal dwelling units and agreed to consider that properties that have been used for a short-term rental for at least 10 years will be granted exceptions.
Council members gave preliminary approval to the regulations at their Nov. 25 meeting when they passed the measure on its first reading.
Supporters of the amendment said the regulations are necessary in order to ensure the orderly operation of short-term facilities and prevent hotels from operating without permits in residential neighborhoods. But critics said the regulations are too restrictive.
The council agreed to change the definition of those facilities to mean those lasting between one and 14 consecutive nights.
Teacher resigns after student complaint
HAMPTON (AP) — A veteran high school teacher in New Hampshire resigned and surrendered his teaching license after he was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student, a school district superintendent said.
Seascoastonline.com reports Superintendent Bill Lupini sent parents a message this week saying Peter Thomes, a former English teacher, had been put on administrative leave in August while the state Department of Education investigated a complaint. Thomes, who taught at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, resigned in October.
Lupini said the complaint was brought forth by a former student, and that the alleged conduct took place “years ago.”
Lupini said Thomes “voluntarily surrendered” his educator credential. He had been working at the school since 1992, according to his LinkedIn account.
A message seeking comment was left at a possible phone number for Thomes.
“The voluntary surrender/revocation ‘was precipitated by allegations that Mr. Thomes had an inappropriate relationship with a student,'” Lupini wrote. He said the conduct alleged in the complaint violates the New Hampshire Code of Conduct for Educational Professionals.