Town Tuitioning Passes the House

Great news out of Concord today! Earlier this afternoon the NH House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 8, the town tuitioning (aka Croydon) bill, in a 210 to 147 roll call vote. It should head to the Senate Education Committee shortly where they will determine a recommendation to the full Senate to concur, not concur, or have a Committee of Conference to negotiate the differences between the versions passed by each body.

The bill as amended by the House reached a compromise and received strong bipartisan support. Roughly 50 small towns across the state do not provide Kindergarten through 12th grade in-district and must tuition out a portion of their student population. The bill clarifies that local school boards may contract with public and nonsectarian private schools in tuition agreements. This is consistent with existing practices. School districts often provide private school placement for students with special needs, and some extend that opportunity for other students as well. They may also do so per the Manifest Educational Hardship statute as well as RSA 194:22 and RSA 193:1.

Like other tuition agreements, these “school tuition programs” keep local school boards accountable for ensuring sending students receive an “opportunity for an adequate education” and have access to special needs services.

This version of the bill also addresses accountability without requiring private schools to participate in the statewide assessments. The amendment allows private schools to use any nationally recognized standardized academic assessment, and many already administer one or another, so it should not pose any additional financial or administrative burden. Other requirements mirror those for public schools already in statute so they are equitable and balanced.

The bill could be in the hands of the Senate Education Committee as early as next week and the full senate possibly by Thursday, June 15th. We will post specific dates once the calendars are published. We expect the senate will support the bill, but encouraging calls and emails are always helpful, especially personal comments from constituents. The senate roster and contact information are below. To find your senator, go to Who’s My Senator or use the district map.

For additional details about the House version of SB 8, read Town Tuitioning Bill Advances.

Once SB 8 is signed by Governor Sununu, it will strengthen Croydon’s legal appeal to the NH Supreme Court. More details about Croydon’s school choice program and legal battle are available in this article.

2022 Legislation of Interest, Updated

Bill #linkPrime SponsorAdditional SponsorsTitle
HB 1051http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1197&type=4Linda TannerSherry Frost, Stephen Woodcock, Jaci Grote, Sue Mullenrelative to the state board of education rules for credit for alternative, extended learning, and work-based programs
HB 1074http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1265&type=4Maureen MooneySharon Carson, Kenneth Weyler, Jeanine Notter, Ruth Ward, Robert Healeyrelative to notice to a chartered public school of a special education services meeting
HB 1113http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1927&type=4Marjorie PorterMel Myler, Stephen Woodcock, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullenprohibiting the department of education and the state board of education from directing or limiting school instructional options, such as remote learning
HB 1114http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1905&type=4Patricia CornellMarjorie Porter, Suzanne Vail, Mary Heath, Constance Van Houten, Sue Mullenrelative to education service providers under the education freedom account program
HB 1115http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1904&type=4Patricia CornellRobert Renny Cushing, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullenrelative to record of educational attainment under the educational freedom account program
HB 1120http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1832&type=4Sue MullenMarjorie Porter, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, Patricia Cornell, Stephen Woodcock, Arthur Ellison, Catherin Rombeaurelative to education service providers under the education freedom accounts program
HB 1135http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1238&type=4Sallie FellowsRichard Ames, Thomas Schamberg, Linda Tanner, Suzanne Vail, Mary Heath, Suzanne Prentiss, Mark Paigerequiring a performance audit of the department of education, education freedom account program
HB 1141http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1469&type=4Glenn CordelliAndrew Renzullo, Kevin Avard, Ruth Ward, Denise Ricciardirelative to special education services for children in chartered public schools
HB 1152http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1504&type=4Bonnie HamDan Wolf, Brodie Deshaiesrelative to verification of eligible students under the education freedom account program
HB 1208http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1240&type=4Timothy LangJason Osborne, Kevin Avard, Michael Moffett, Howard Pearl, Bob Greene, Michael Yakubovich, Judy Aron, Gregg Hough, Aidan Ankarbergrelative to driver education
HB 1283http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1869&type=4David LuneauMarjorie Smith, Richard Amesrelative to liability as taxable income of education freedom account payments
HB 1298http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1435&type=4Glenn CordelliCarol McGuire, Jason Osborne, Gregory Hill, Michael Moffett, Alicia Lekas, Tony Piemonte, Deborah Hobsonrelative to eligibility for the education tax credit
HB 1355http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1875&type=4David Luneaurequiring the scholarship organization to refer suspected cases of misuse of funds or fraud in the education freedom account program to the attorney general
HB 1376http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1612&type=4Patricia CornellRobert Renny Cushing, Marjorie Porter, Mary Heath, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullenrelative to participation in the education freedom accounts program by students with disabilities
HB 1428http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1271&type=4Maureen MooneySharon Carson, Kenneth Weyler, Jeanine Notter, Ruth Ward, Robert Healeyrelative to the provision of special education services by chartered public schools
HB 1513http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1259&type=4Bill BoydDavid Watters, John Reagan, Rick Ladd, Glenn Cordelli, Mark McLean, James Spillane, Michael Moffett, Kevin Vervillerelative to the definition of a child with a disability for purposes of special education
HB 1516http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1464&type=4Marjorie PorterMarjorie Smith, Paul Berch, Mel Myler, Linda Tanner, Mary Heath, Patricia Cornell, Jay Kahn, Stephen Woodcock, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullen, Suzanne Prentissrelative to the source of funds for education freedom accounts
HB 1615http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1744&type=4Susan AlmyDavid Watters, George Sykesrelative to driver education and the driver training fund
HB 1627http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1911&type=4Gregory HillKenneth Weyler, Rick Ladd, Glenn Cordelliestablishing an education freedom account program administrator in the department of education and making an appropriation therefor
HB 1637http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1140&type=4Brodie DeshaiesPatrick Long, Linda Massimilla, Dan Wolf, Bonnie Ham, James Allardrequiring parents of public school students to submit a survey when electing an education freedom account
HB 1649http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1850&type=4Linda TannerMarjorie Porter, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, Stephen Woodcock, Sallie Fellows, Sue Mullenrelative to unique pupil identification for pupils in the education freedom accounts program
HB 1663http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1636&type=4Erica LayonJeanine Notter, Glenn Cordelli, Kimberly Rice, Michael Moffett, Alilcia Lekas, Hershel Nunezrelative to requirements for home education students
HB 1669http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1500&type=4Bonnie HamMel Myler, Dan Wolf, Brodie Deshaiesrequiring the department of education to administer the education freedom account program
HB 1670http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1509&type=4Bonnie HamDan Wolf, Brodie Deshaiesrelative to funds of the education freedom account program after termination of a student's participation and responsibilities of the scholarship organization
HB 1672http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1868&type=4David LuneauMel Mylerrelative to misuse of education freedom account funds
HB 1678http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1608&type=4Erica LayonMichael Moffett, Alicia Lekas, Hershel Nunezrelative to student participation in the education freedom accounts program and relative to administration of the program
HB 1683http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1871&type=4David LuneauTimothy Horrigan, Mel Myler, Connie Lanerepealing the education freedom account program
HB 1684http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1873&type=4David LuneauMel Mylerlimiting education freedom account funding to budgeted amounts
SB 235http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=2014&type=3Jay KahnDavid Watters, Donna Soucy, Richard Ames, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, David Luneau, Dan Wolf, Tom Sherman, Cindy Rosenwald, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Perkins Kwokarelative to the authority to offer multiple education instruction options
SB 237http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=2092&type=3Tom ShermanLou D'Allesandro, David Watters, Donna Soucy, Marjorie Smith, Mel Myler, David Luneau, Jay Kahn, Kevin Cavanaugh, Cindy Rosenwald, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Whitley, Rebecca Perkins Kwokarelative to participation in the education freedom account program
SB 421http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1946&type=3David WattersLou D'Allesandro, Sharon Carson, John Reagan, Donna Soucy, Rick Ladd, Carol McGuire, Glenn Cordelli, James Gray, Ruth Ward, Bill Ganon, Kevin Cavanaugh, Tom Sherman, Cindy Rosenwald, Erin Hennessey, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Whitley, Rebecca Perkins Kwokarelative to dual and concurrent enrollment for career technical education center students
SB 432http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=2071&type=3Jay KahnLou D'Allesandro, David Watters, Donna Soucy, Kevin Cavanaugh, Tom Sherman, Cindy Rosenwald, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Whitley, Rebecca Perkins Kwokarepealing the education freedom account program

Jeff.Woodburn@leg.state.nh.us,
Bob.Giuda@leg.state.nh.us,
jeb.bradley@leg.state.nh.us,
david.watters@leg.state.nh.us,
Martha.Hennessey@leg.state.nh.us,
James.Gray@leg.state.nh.us,
Harold.French@leg.state.nh.us,
Ruth.Ward@leg.state.nh.us,
andy.sanborn@leg.state.nh.us,
Jay.Kahn@leg.state.nh.us,
Gary.Daniels@leg.state.nh.us,
Kevin.Avard@leg.state.nh.us,
bette.lasky@leg.state.nh.us,
sharon.carson@leg.state.nh.us,
Dan.Feltes@leg.state.nh.us,
john.reagan111@gmail.com,
donna.soucy@leg.state.nh.us,
Regina.Birdsell@leg.state.nh.us,
dalas@leg.state.nh.us,
martha.fullerclark@leg.state.nh.us,
chuck.morse@leg.state.nh.us,
gannon4rep@gmail.com
Dan.Innis@leg.state.nh.us,