Releases

NH House Votes to Expand Education Voucher Eligibility to 500% of Federal Poverty Level, Rejects Universal Vouchers

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives cast a series of mixed votes on three bills that would expand education voucher eligibility in our state.   Two additional voucher expansion bills still await a full vote in the New Hampshire House after deadlocking in Committee, 10-10. HB 1652 would create the ability for a school district to adopt a local school district voucher program. HB 1677 extends eligibility for the voucher program to students who participated in the program in the preceding year, students whose enrollment transfer requests were denied, and to students in school districts which performed […]

A photo of the New Hampshire State House dome.

New Hampshire Senate Votes Again to Establish a Rural and Underserved Area Educator Incentive Program for Higher Education; Amendment Funds at $1 

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, […]

PRESS RELEASE: NH House Education Committee Splits on Voucher Expansion Package; Five Bills Headed to the House Floor Without Recommendation 

CONCORD, NH – This week, the New Hampshire House Education Committee split 10-10 on five bills that would dramatically expand our state’s voucher program: HB 1634; HB 1677; HB 1561; HB 1665; and HB 1652. Two of the bills would institute a universal voucher program in New Hampshire, expanding eligibility to every school-aged child in the state, including 21,238 students who are currently enrolled in a private school or are homeschooled. The bills will next go to the floor for a full vote in the House of Representatives with no Committee recommendation.  Granite Staters overwhelmingly signed in to oppose efforts […]

A white sign held in front of the Legislative Office Building reads: Support Our Public Schools"

NH Senate Endorses Voucher Expansion Bill 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted 13-11 in support of SB 442, which would expand our state’s private school voucher program and undermine the state manifest hardship exemption. SB 442 next goes to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.  Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the vote:  “New Hampshire is dead last in our country when it comes to state investments in public education. Our courts have recently ruled once again that the state is not meeting its constitutional obligation to fund an adequate public education for our students. It is […]

NH Senate Republicans Vote to Eliminate Credentialing for Part-Time Teachers, Jeopardize Granite State Students’ Access to High-Quality Public Education 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 374 on party lines, 14-10. The bill would create the status of a “part-time” teacher in state law and would eliminate state board of education credentialing requirements for any teacher who works less than 30 hours a week.   Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the vote:  “While New Hampshire is currently facing a teacher and staff shortage in schools across the state, this is a misguided attempt to address that crisis. Regardless of whether someone teaches full or part-time, we should all agree it is […]

A white sign held in front of the Legislative Office Building reads: Support Our Public Schools"

NH Educators Oppose Efforts to Expand Unaccountable Voucher Scheme, Highlight Negative Impact to Public Schools, Students, and Taxpayers

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House Education Committee heard testimony on four bills that would so dramatically expand our state’s private school voucher program that the package would effectively institute universal vouchers. The bills heard were: HB 1634; HB 1677; HB 1561; and HB 1665.   Before the hearings, Granite Staters overwhelmingly signed in to oppose voucher expansion efforts:  Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the hearings:  “Every family wants their children to have access to high-quality educational opportunities in their community that meet student needs and prepare them for success. But the package […]