Monthly Archives: May 2018

NEA-NH Welcomes Passage of the School Employee Death Benefit Bill

Members urge Governor to sign bill into law CONCORD, NH – May 23, 2018 – The School Employee Death Benefit bill, along with an additional $10 million for school security upgrades, passed both the House and Senate today. There was a voice vote in the Senate, and the bill passed the House 262-76. The bill is now headed to the Governor. The most recent slaughter of students and educators in Texas is further evidence of the need for this bill for the surviving families of school employees who die from violence while doing their jobs. So long as school employees […]

Protest the Betsy DeVos Visit

President Trump’s Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is coming to New Hampshire on Monday night for a New Hampshire GOP fundraiser. The Secretary’s visit comes on the heels of a desperate effort by Governor Sununu to revive SB 193, the school voucher bill which would have diverted funds from public schools to private and religious institutions. It’s the same failed policy that DeVos has pushed aggressively in her short tenure with the Department of Education. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!  It’s up to us, the people of New Hampshire, to take a visible stand to protect our schools and our children. Please […]

Dear Gov. Sununu; You Have Underestimated Us Once Again

An open letter to Governor Sununu:   Dear Governor Sununu, We are aware that SB193 supporters have tied their unconstitutional voucher bill to the bill authorizing the public-school employee death benefit, among other education related bills.  The thousands of school employees in this state, along with their families and supporters find this tactic reprehensible.  If you believed that we would be moved to offer support for a bill that robs millions from public school children across the state to save the death benefit bill, then you have grossly underestimated the lengths to which public school employees will go to protect […]

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

Today, Americans in cities and towns all over the nation are celebrating National Teacher Day, a day set aside to honor educators in every community. I want to thank you for your commitment to your students, and for the work you do each day to create safe, inviting, engaging classrooms, and great public schools for every student. Teachers give so much. A boost of confidence when we really need one. Extra help when we’re having trouble. A welcoming presence when everything else seems out of control. You have made countless lives better, and today I want to add my voice […]

SB193 Hurts Real Kids in Real Need

The entire premise of a quality public education is based on the foundation of helping every child in every zip code. When supporters of SB193 say the bill will help “kids in need,” it somehow seems to imply that poorer children are being charged to attend public school and just can’t afford it. In fact, we, as a community, pay taxes to assure that all kids get a quality education for free.  SB193, and all the other so-called “School Choice” bills, seeks to divert the public money already in use to provide a free education to the children of our […]