Yearly Archives: 2018

What We’re Following in 2019

The Legislative season will soon be upon us, and NEA-NH has already reviewed the list of Legislative Service Requests (that’s what bills are called before they are officially submitted) from those likely to have an impact on our students, schools, and members. While LSR’s are only bill titles at this point, and its not possible with certainty to determine the impact of each new bill, we have identified more than 180 bills to keep an eye on this January. We’ll be keeping track of bills relating to school funding, safety, educator credentials and rights, retirement, and the opiod crisis.  A […]

Update on NEA-NH’s Mental Health Efforts

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.  It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices, and it is integrally linked to our physical health. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. NEA-NH promotes a greater emphasis on awareness of mental health needs and early intervention services to ensure that all of us can enjoy the highest quality of life possible.  This is especially important in a school setting, where our children are developing into young adults and […]

When is a Diploma Not a Diploma?

Commissioner Edelblut’s new rule proposal means anyone with a background check and lesson plan can grant graduation credits On December 13, Governor Sununu’s hand-picked Commissioner of Education announced a new rule change designed to allow anyone to grant credit towards high school graduation. If this rule is allowed to stand, it would now be possible for a student to receive a diploma from a New Hampshire public high school they never attended from credits they earned on assessments by non-certified teachers. This diploma would carry the same weight and value as one earned by a student who attended school every day […]

Portion of 2017-2018 NEA-NH Dues Dollars Not Tax Deductible

The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 eliminated the individual federal income tax deduction for lobbying expenses paid or incurred as part of membership dues. This affects only those members who itemize deductions and meet the two-percent minimum requirement for additional miscellaneous deductions. Those members will not be able to deduct that portion of the NEA–NH 2017-2018 union dues attributable to lobbying. The non-deductible portion of the dues for 2017-2018 is 6.40%.

Help the Children’s Fund This Winter

This fall, the Scott McGilvray Children’s Fund (SMCF) has been responding to many requests to provide much needed warm clothing and other items to NH kids. We are glad to be able to help ensure their comfort, health, and safety as we head into another New Hampshire winter season! The end of the year is the perfect time to support the SMCF with your tax-deductible donation! You can donate online in increments of $10 on our website. You can also send a check made out to SMCF, c/o NEA NH, 9 South Spring St, Concord, NH 03301. And be sure […]

NEA-NH Reaction to Proposed Educator Code of Conduct

NEA-New Hampshire released the following statement today regarding the proposed Code of Conduct for Educators approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education: NEA-NH believes the administrative rules that address educator misconduct should delineate clear expectations and transparent procedural measures.  We were able to work with the drafters of the new proposal to suggest changes throughout the process in an attempt to achieve these goals. “Our own NEA Code of Ethics recognizes that our members believe in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognize the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, the nurture of […]