NEA-NH Legislative Dashboard

CONCORD – Today, NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle submitted testimony in opposition to Senate Bill 61, a bill to make New Hampshire a Right to Work state. Dear Mr. Chairman and Members of the House Labor Committee, On behalf of NEA-NH and the 17,000 educators we represent in collective bargaining I write to you once again to say, so-called “right to work” is wrong for New Hampshire. Time and time again this legislation has been rejected under Republican and Democrat controlled legislatures and governors. Some of you may be wondering why

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The recently passed American Rescue Plan contains $122 Billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds that may be used to address the many impacts of COVID-19 on pre-K through 12 education, including: Investing in resources to implement CDC’s K-12 operational strategy for in-person learning to keep educators, staff, and students safe; improving ventilation; purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE); and obtaining additional space to ensure social distancing in classrooms. Avoiding devastating layoffs and hiring additional educators to address learning loss, providing support to students and existing staff, and providing

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CONCORD – In unpacking the new CDC guidance on social distancing in schools it is important to keep in mind the context in which the recommendations can be implemented. “The CDC guidance clearly states that three-foot distancing can be implemented, as long as other mitigation factors remain in place and are enforced,” said Megan Tuttle, NEA-NH President. “Schools can operate with shorter distances between students, if they maintain precautions such as wearing masks.” The revised CDC guidance states that students should remain at least six feet from each another while

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CONCORD – Today, the NH Senate voted to take funds away from our public schools and raise local property taxes to compensate for that loss in funding. “Ignoring the voices of the thousands of taxpayers who opposed this bill, they voted to send your tax dollars to private and religious schools,” said Megan Tuttle, NEA-NH President. The absence of real public accountability for voucher funds has contributed to rampant fraud, waste, and abuse in voucher programs across the country. “Their vote on SB130 today opens the door to that type

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SB145 is intended to maintain the level of  fiscal year 2022 state funding for school districts that have experienced significant disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in fiscal year 2021.  These disruptions have affected fall 2020 average daily membership in attendance, the number upon which fiscal year 2022 funding is based.  This bill will help school districts plan for town meetings, and help stabilize local property taxes. During the 2020-2021 school year, average daily membership attendance (ADMA) fell by approximately 8,000 students, due to shifting between in-person and remote learning. Free

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Today the Senate Education committee recommended passing SB 130, a bill that would create a voucher program to send taxpayer money to private and religious schools, on a party line vote. At a time when our state,  schools and students face serious challenges, the last thing we need to do is spend scarce taxpayer dollars on vouchers for private or religious schools that are not accountable and can pick and choose their students.  Voucher programs like this one, use our tax dollars for unaccountable private schools and expenses. SB 130

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The good news is, starting March 12, educators across New Hampshire can receive their COVID vaccine. We’d like to thank President Biden for his efforts to dramatically increase the availability of vaccines and to direct that essential education workers be vaccinated by the end of March. Many school districts have already announced their plans to host clinics for their staff – some as early as the 12th.  Please check with your district to see if they plan on hosting such an event and be sure to take advantage of the

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The following information was given at the Governor’s Press Conference today: Beginning 3/12, schools can begin giving vaccines to staff. Check with your school district to see if they have plans to administer vaccines to staff.  This will most likely be the fastest and easiest way to receive your vaccine. The state’s Vaccine Management System, VMS, will start taking educator appointments on 3/17. If your schools district is not able to host a vaccination event, you can register on the VMS site starting then. Vaccines from these appointments will begin

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