CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted “Ought to Pass as Amended” on SB 217-FN on a voice vote. While the bill as filed set aside $3 million over two years to create and fund a student loan forgiveness program for educators who work in rural and underserved areas, as amended, this bill sets aside $1. The bill next goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Student debt assistance is one recommendation contained in a recent legislative report that identified contributing factors to New Hampshire’s teacher shortage and outlined findings to address the crisis.
Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided this statement following the vote: “As school districts across the state struggle to fill positions amidst an educator shortage, it is encouraging to see lawmakers acknowledge the state has a role to play in addressing this crisis. SB 217 as amended takes an important step forward to helping address this shortage; NEA-New Hampshire looks forward to continuing dialogue and work with lawmakers to provide meaningful funding to alleviate the burden of student loan debt for Granite State educators.”
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About NEA-New Hampshire
NEA-New Hampshire is the largest union of public employees in the state. Founded in 1854, the New Hampshire State Teachers Association became one of the “founding ten” state education associations that formed the National Education Association in 1857. Known today as NEA-NH, and comprised of more than 17,000 members, our mission to advocate for the children of New Hampshire and public-school employees, and to promote lifelong learning, remains true after more than 165 years. Our members are public school employees in all stages of their careers, including classroom teachers and other certified professionals, staff and instructors at public higher education institutions, students preparing for a teaching career, education support personnel and those retired from the profession.