Releases

NH Senate Advances Book Ban Bill that Criminalizes Teachers and Librarians 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted on party lines in support of HB 324, which would ban books in New Hampshire public schools and criminalize teachers, librarians, and even school board members. The state already has an objectionable materials law for public schools that allows any parent to opt their child out of any required coursework, curriculum, or material. But, if signed into law by Governor Ayotte, this bill would go far beyond parental opt-out by potentially imposing one parent’s objections on others.   Recent polling conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows a majority of Granite […]

PRESS RELEASE: New data shows New Hampshire 50th in the nation for state public education funding; some gains in educator pay, but profession is still undervalued and underpaid 

National Education Association releases four reports detailing the state of education funding and pay for educators in New Hampshire and around the country  CONCORD, NH – Four new reports examining educator pay and school funding from pre-K through college reveal that despite growth in educator pay last year, chronic problems plague educators, including low wages and a lack of professional respect. Further, the report shows that New Hampshire remains 50th in the nation for state public education funding as a percentage of revenue receipts.    The data released today include “Rankings and Estimates,” a report NEA has produced since the 1960s and widely […]

PRESS RELEASE: Federal Court Grants Preliminary Injunction Against Department of Education’s Unlawful Directive

CONCORD, N.H. – In a victory for students, parents, and educators, a federal judge has granted a request for a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) February 14, 2025, “Dear Colleague” letter against the plaintiffs, their members, and any entity that employs, contracts with, or works with one or more of Plaintiffs or Plaintiffs’ member. The court’s ruling blocks ED’s unprecedented and unlawful attempt to restrict discussions and programs on diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational institutions, and its threat to withhold federal funding for engaging in such efforts.  The Dear Colleague Letter’s directive contradicts […]

PRESS RELEASE: NH House Budget Prioritizes Handouts for Wealthy at the Expense of Kids

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House voted 185-175 in support of a state budget proposal that would erode the foundation of public education and jeopardize the health and wellbeing of New Hampshire’s children and families.   Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the vote: “Budgets are about choices and reflect the values of their creators.   New Hampshire politicians are choosing to prioritize business tax cuts and handouts for the wealthy over programs that support our most vulnerable citizens – children. Politicians are choosing to slash funding for higher education, Medicaid, and developmental disability services […]

PRESS RELEASE: Bipartisan NH House Vote Rejects Mandatory Statewide School Budget Cap 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House voted 206-165 in support of an amendment to HB 2 that removes the mandatory statewide school budget cap. The legislative language taken from HB 675 was originally inserted by the House Finance Committee; it would have placed an arbitrary cap on school district budgets based on inflation and enrollment trends—regardless of real costs like teacher salaries, special education services, or rising utility bills. Today’s vote comes on the heels of communities across New Hampshire overwhelmingly rejecting petition warrant articles to institute local per pupil spending caps during their annual school district meetings.   […]

PRESS RELEASE: Agreement Temporarily Halts Enforcement of Department of Education’s Unlawful Directive

CONCORD, N.H. – In a major development in the lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s February 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter and its April 3, 2025, Certification Requirement, the parties have reached an agreement that blocks the department from taking any enforcement action under either directive until at least April 24, 2025. The agreement, reached after plaintiffs filed an emergency motion to block the Certification Requirement, ensures that no school district, state agency, or higher education institution will face investigation or penalties for failure to return the challenged certification that diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts do not exist within their curriculums.   As part of the agreement, states and […]