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Poll: Granite Staters support raising teacher pay; majority oppose ‘divisive concepts’ law
A majority of Granite Staters appear supportive of their local teachers and opposed to a recent law restricting them from certain teaching topics, a new poll from the University of New Hampshire suggests. The poll, released Thursday, found that 51 percent of respondents thought the quality of their local public school teachers was “good” or […]
Democrats continuing Legislature remote access case despite U.S. Supreme Court denial
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear an appeal in a lawsuit by New Hampshire House Democrats seeking remote participation in the state Legislature, dealing the effort a major setback. But Democrats say they’re not finished litigating. In March, the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled against the Democrats’ effort; the […]
School districts struggle to balance transgender protections, parental notification
For seven years, the New Hampshire School Boards Association had a model policy for how schools should treat transgender students and uphold their rights. And for years, many school boards in the state adopted the policy. In February, that came to an end. As conservative criticism of LGBTQ+ school policies grew and the political rhetoric […]
State seeks $6.4 million in COVID-relief money to build up court access services
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch is seeking to use $6.4 million in federal COVID-19 relief money to help boost remote access to the court, fund court navigators, and increase civil legal resources. In a request to the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery says the money would help with […]
State misses deadline for program to expand school lunch aid
Last month, a bipartisan majority of state senators sent Gov. Chris Sununu a letter with a last-minute request. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was continuing a program to allow states to automatically sign up eligible public school students for the free and reduced-price lunch program using their families’ Medicaid enrollment information. Twenty-seven states were already […]
Taxpayers ask court to block statewide education property tax
A group of New Hampshire taxpayers have chosen a new target in their quest to sue the state over its school funding system: the statewide education property tax. In a filing in Grafton Superior Court Wednesday, the taxpayers are asking the court to grant an injunction against the tax to stop it from being implemented […]
AG issues cease-and-desist letter against NH Democrats for erroneous absentee ballot mailers
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella ordered the New Hampshire Democratic Party to stop issuing mailers that his office said contain false information about absentee voting and could disenfranchise voters. In a cease-and-desist order sent to the party Friday, the Attorney General’s Office said the party had sent mailings to voters that contained invalid return […]
During Banned Books Week, a school district wrestles with how to allow book challenges
Milford High School students didn’t just recognize Banned Books Week: They painted a tribute in their hallway. Directly in front of the school’s library this week is an art installation with 11 lockers painted to resemble the spines of 11 commonly challenged books, from “The Catcher in the Rye” to “Maus,” the graphic novel about […]
State to dedicate $5 million to help temporary shelters this winter
New Hampshire is setting aside $5 million in federal COVID relief funds to help support emergency homeless shelters in the winter, as the number of homeless residents has climbed recently. The new program, approved by the Executive Council and Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee earlier this month, will provide financial assistance to temporary shelters set up […]
After oral arguments, four things to watch in lawsuit against ‘banned concepts’ law
Lawyers for state teachers unions and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire faced off against the Attorney General’s Office last week over a new law banning certain concepts from being taught in New Hampshire schools. The law, known by many as the “divisive concepts” law after an earlier title, bars New Hampshire educators […]
As Republicans pivot to general election, Sununu makes plea: Stick to the economy
It was the bear hug that buried the hatchet. Moments after Gen. Don Bolduc’s speech urging unity among Republicans he leapt off the stage and beelined to a surprised Gov. Chris Sununu who engulfed him in an embrace, just weeks after the two had descended to name calling. Thursday morning’s Republican Unity Breakfast saw rivals […]
Education Freedom Accounts double after one year; most recipients outside public school
Participation in New Hampshire’s education freedom account (EFA) program has doubled in the year since it launched, the state Department of Education said Friday, far exceeding the department’s initial estimates. As of September, there are 3,025 students participating at the start of the program’s second academic year, according to the department. At the program’s launch […]