Rep. Rick Ladd

Maddy summaryHB 1183 changes New Hampshire's high school graduation requirements by mandating that students complete four mathematics courses to meet the state's math competency standard for career and college readiness. This replaces the current option allowing students to fulfill the requirement with three math courses plus one non-math course that applied math skills (e.g., in career-technical education). The bill applies to all public high school students graduating after July 1, 2027, and requires school boards to approve the specific math courses. The change eliminates the flexibility of combining math with other subjects to meet the graduation standard.

Maddy summaryHB 1826 increases New Hampshire's per-pupil funding rate for public schools starting in 2027, raising the base cost from $4,100 to $4,438 per student. It also adjusts differentiated aid for specific student groups: increasing free/reduced lunch support from $2,300 to $2,441 per qualifying student, English language learners from $800 to $866, and special education services from $2,100 to $3,203 per student. This bill directly affects all public school districts in New Hampshire, particularly those serving students who qualify for these targeted supports. The fiscal note estimates it will increase state education spending by approximately $27 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028, primarily through the Education Trust Fund.

Maddy summarySB 342 establishes a dedicated School Construction Fund to provide annual funding for new school building projects starting in fiscal year 2025. The bill creates a tiered funding schedule that begins at $30 million and increases by $5 million each year until reaching a cap of $80 million, which is then maintained annually. This money is restricted to new construction projects authorized on or after July 1, 2025, and must be used for facilities that serve as instructional spaces for at least 20 years. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Education to develop a 10-year plan to prioritize and manage future school facility needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Master Teacher" credential for educators who have at least seven years of teaching experience and receive high ratings on local evaluation systems. To qualify, teachers must submit a portfolio demonstrating leadership in classroom practice, supervision, student support, collaboration, and professional development. The credential is intended to identify experienced teachers as resources to improve student learning and school collaboration, but it does not grant them authority to recommend personnel actions. Additionally, the bill sets fee limits for issuing and renewing Master Teacher licenses, ensuring they do not exceed the cost of standard educator licenses. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for selecting members of the University System of New Hampshire's Board of Trustees. It requires that three of the board members be students, with one representative from Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire. Additionally, the law removes a provision that previously allowed alumni of Granite State College to elect a trustee. These changes take effect on June 30, 2025, to ensure student representation in the system's governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates procedures for school facility construction and establishes a new Public School Infrastructure Fund to finance specific infrastructure projects for public preschools, elementary, and secondary schools. It requires school districts receiving construction aid for projects of $1 million or more to hire an owner's project manager with specific insurance coverage and mandates that grant funds be kept in a separate trust account where earned interest supports school operations or improvements. The legislation also creates a Public School Infrastructure Commission to oversee the new fund and requires school principals to annually assess physical conditions affecting indoor air quality, such as ventilation and moisture, without conducting actual air measurements. Additionally, the bill encourages schools to use EPA tools for maintaining indoor air quality and grants immunity to principals who submit these assessments in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a structured math program for public high school students who have completed or are nearing completion of algebra I. It allows schools to assess these students in the spring of their tenth grade to determine if they need a foundational review course or are ready for college-level mathematics. Students identified as needing support will take a course focused on expanding their understanding of algebra, geometry, and statistics, while those demonstrating mastery can enroll in advanced courses that count toward high school graduation and community college credits. The program is designed to help students progress at their own pace, with the option to take qualifying advanced courses during their eleventh or twelfth grade years.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire laws to clarify how public school curriculum frameworks should be developed and maintained. It requires the state education board to review and refine these frameworks every ten years, while explicitly stating that they serve as guides rather than a mandatory statewide curriculum. Local teachers and school boards retain the responsibility to decide specific lesson plans, teaching methods, and materials that best fit their communities. The legislation also adds new definitions for educational terms like "applied learning," "logic," and "rhetoric" to the state's education statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Legislative Oversight Committee to review and offer suggestions on the academic standards and minimum requirements for public school approval that the State Board of Education is currently considering. The law specifically tasks the committee with examining these standards before they are finalized, ensuring the legislature has a role in the oversight process. It does not change the actual standards themselves but establishes a formal review step for the committee to evaluate the board's work. The changes will take effect ninety days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Commission on Higher Education Consolidation to study how New Hampshire's university and community college systems can better align with future workforce needs and demographic changes. The commission will investigate ways to reduce duplicate programs, streamline administrative costs, and improve student access while gathering input from various stakeholders. Its members include legislators, representatives from both higher education systems, business leaders, and state officials, who must submit a strategic plan and report by July 1, 2025. The legislation does not mandate immediate structural changes but instead creates a framework for planning potential future reforms.