Rep. Sallie Fellows

Maddy summaryHB 1716 requires students in New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program to demonstrate academic progress through one of three methods: taking standardized tests (national or state), or maintaining a portfolio evaluated by a certified teacher using a Department of Education-developed rubric. The bill directs the Department of Education's Division of Learner Support to create and publish this rubric annually, then compile data from all student reports to analyze academic proficiency rates. This data must include metrics like graduation rates, grade level, gender, race, and aid categories. The bill does not provide new funding but estimates annual costs of $300,000-$350,000 for staff and system upgrades to implement the reporting and analysis requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1555 would change how the Department of Education calculates adjustments to school funding estimates. The bill requires the department to find the difference between a revised grant estimate and an earlier one to determine the maximum increase or decrease in funds. This change is intended to provide a clearer method for measuring funding shifts, though the bill has been referred for further study and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1563 restructures how the state calculates education grants for municipalities by defining a specific "local property tax contribution" based on warrants issued for the tax year beginning April 1, 2024. Under the new formula, the state will determine a municipality's total education grant by adding the per-pupil cost of an adequate education and extraordinary need funds, then subtracting this defined local property tax contribution. The bill repeals several existing statutes related to the education tax and low and moderate income homeowners property tax relief, with most changes taking effect on July 1, 2025. This legislation directly affects local governments and school districts by altering the method used to distribute state education funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for school districts and public academies regarding the submission of state-required expenditure reports. It allows the state education commissioner to grant extensions for late reporting when justified by unusual circumstances and mandates that all state education funding be withheld until accurate reports are filed. Additionally, the law introduces a new calculation method for education grants in municipalities where schools operate by paying tuition to outside institutions, ensuring grant amounts reflect actual current expenses. The legislation also specifies that a public academy's charter could be revoked if it fails to meet reporting deadlines for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Commissioner of Education the authority to issue up to a 30-day extension for school districts and other educational entities to file their annual expenditure reports. If a school district cannot meet the extended deadline due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances, the commissioner can grant additional time. The law applies to all public schools, academies, and charter schools in the state and takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for towns in New Hampshire to submit copies of their annual town reports to the Department of Education. By repealing the specific section of law that mandated this submission, the legislation removes a reporting obligation for local municipalities. The change takes effect 60 days after the law is passed, allowing towns to retain their reports without sending them to the state education commissioner.