The New Hampshire Department of Education is preparing an application for flexibility under a provision of No Child Left Behind.  In order to be eligible for a waiver, a state must adopt the Common Core, ensure that all districts have an evaluation system that includes the use of student performance data, and adopt a growth model to determine Adequate Yearly Progress. The new model would be piloted next year and fully implemented in 2013.

Building Aid remains in a moratorium.  The current legislature has maintained a commitment to prior projects.  Some legislators want to bring building aid back in some form. 

 There are four outstanding issues regarding Building Aid:

                      1.     Determine how to cap it.

                                                                             2.        Establish provisions to avoid borrowing the money.

                                                                             3.        Charge the Department of Education to come up with a priority system.

                                                                             4.        Add a requirement that shows that each district requesting money have a maintenance plan.

Vouchers will be forthcoming in the manner of a tax credit for businesses.  The total net to the business could be a wash.  The bill would limit a voucher to 85% of the tuition cost for the school the student is requesting: once a student receives a voucher, he or she would continue until graduation.

There is legislation being written to make certain employers have the opportunity to speak to all members of a given bargaining unit.

One bill is being written to abolish the New Hampshire Department of Education.  The NHDOE has created a document that includes the hours it takes for districts to comply with federal rules and regulations.  The result is printed in Excel and is nine pages long, containing thousands of items.

A Constitutional amendment is being formulated to abolish state obligation to fund an adequate education.  This bill will appear on the general ballot in November 2012.  If the amendment passes, education will no longer be a basic right for each child.  Children in the state would lose their constitutional right to an adequate education.

Upcoming SAU Meetings:

                                    October 17 - AREA Meeting, 193 Maple Avenue (7:00 p.m.)

                                    October 24 - SAU Advisory Meeting, 193 Maple Avenue (7:00 p.m.)

                                    November 21 - SAU Board Meeting, LGIA - 43 Arch Street (7:00 p.m.)

                                    December 19 - SAU Annual Board Meeting and Public Hearing, LGIA  (7:00 p.m.)