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0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8f680000Coverage of the 2016 races in New Hampshire, from the White House to the State House.

Ayotte Calls On Hassan to Clarify Comments On Exeter Abuse Case

Gov. Maggie Hassan has repeatedly said she lacked specific information about why longtime Phillips Exeter teacher Rick Schubart abruptly retired in 2011, and that she never discussed it with her husband, Tom Hassan, who was the school's principal at the time. 

The governor has also said she sensed something was wrong when Schubart suddenly moved off campus.

Earlier this week, Hassan said those suspicious should have been enough to prompt her to remove Schubart from a steering committee during her first run for governor.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte called on Hassan to be transparent about anything she might know as Exeter police investigate fresh claims of inappropriate conduct at the boarding school.

"I don't obviously know all the facts, only that even in what has happened so far that she has given several statements," Ayotte said. "Some of them are different, and so I think it is important that she clarify and offer as much information has she can about this matter."

Phillips Exeter forced Schubart to resign when a former student reported a decades-old sexual relationship. Exeter reported the case to authorities but did not go public.

The school and Tom Hassan have both apologized for that. 

Josh has worked at NHPR since 2000.
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