CONCORD, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 1079, which as amended includes the contents of SB 217-FN as passed by the House. 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 undeserved areas, as amended, it creates a similar incentive program and sets aside $1 with the goal of receiving an appropriation in the next state budget. Student debt assistance and additional support for early career educators is one recommendation contained in a legislative report issued last year 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 the following statement in response:
“As school districts across the state struggle to fill positions amidst an ongoing educator shortage, it is encouraging to see lawmakers acknowledge the state has a role to play in addressing this crisis. Establishing the Rural and Underserved Area Educator Incentive Program is an important step forward; NEA-New Hampshire looks forward to continuing dialogue and work with lawmakers in the next biennium 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, 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.