New Hampshire School Boards Association
Resolutions for 2009
printable pdf version
Adopted by the 2009 NHSBA Delegate Assembly - January 17, 2009
Education Funding:
- The NHSBA opposes any constitutional amendment that vacates the spirit and
intent of the Claremont and Londonderry lawsuits and attempts in any way to limit
or redirect funding in a manner that is contrary to the New Hampshire Supreme
Court’s ruling and present interpretation of the New Hampshire Constitution. (2008)
- NHSBA opposes transfer of the responsibility to provide and fund a free and
appropriate education (FAPE) for special education students from resident districts
to attending districts when a non-resident student is placed in a district by a parent.
(2008)
Accountability:
- NHSBA supports a review of NH’s accountability and performance measures as
well as standards established for the NH state assessment program. (2009)
Local Control and School District Autonomy:
- The NHSBA supports the NH Legislature amending the “SB 2” process to allow a
legislative body to specifically vote by a supermajority of 60% on a Warrant Article
to create and fund a program that would then continue beyond the single year and
its costs would be included as part of the following years default budget. (2008)
- NHSBA opposes the 2008 change in statute implementing an “Evergreen Clause” in
all negotiated contracts. This new requirement mandates the continuation of any
pay plan after the expiration of a contract when a successor agreement has not been
reached. Such provision exceeds previous standards and usurps local control,
significantly tipping the balance of negotiations. NHSBA calls for the repeal of this
new requirement, RSA 273-A:12, VII. (2009)
- NHSBA opposes any mandated teacher salary schedule requiring all districts in the
state to pay salaries based on a common state schedule. (2009)
- NHSBA urges the NH Legislature to make changes in the language of NH RSA
189:1 and NH RSA 189:24 that will allow local school districts the authority to make
their own decisions in defining a school calendar that complies with both the spirit
and the letter of the law. The recommended changes are as stated below:
189:1 Days of School. – The school board of every district shall provide standard
schools for at least 180 days in each year, or the equivalent number of hours if
approved by the commissioner of the department of education as required by the
New Hampshire Department of Education Regulations, at such places in the district
as will best serve the interests of education and give to all the pupils within the
district as nearly equal advantages as are practicable.
189:24 Standard School. – A standard school is one approved by the state board of
education, and maintained for at least 180 days in each year, or the equivalent
number of hours if approved by the commissioner of the department of education as
required by the New Hampshire Department of Education Regulations, in a suitable
and sanitary building, equipped with approved furniture, books, maps and other
necessary appliances, taught by teachers, directed and supervised by a principal and
a superintendent, each of whom shall hold valid educational credentials issued by
the state board of education, with suitable provision for the care of the health and
physical welfare of all pupils. A standard school shall provide instruction in all
subjects prescribed by statute or by the state board of education for the grade level
of pupils in attendance. (2009)
State Board of Education:
- NHSBA supports a Department of Education funded study on the impact on
performance of extended learning opportunities and those extended learning
opportunities’ relationship to the funding formula. (2009)
Federal Legislation:
-
The New Hampshire School Boards Association (NHSBA) supports and applauds
the stated objectives of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. While welcoming the
interest of the federal government in joining school boards in the effort to improve
public education, NHSBA objects to several key provisions in NCLB that are
unworkable, too costly and inconsistent with effective efforts to raise student
achievement. Specifically, NHSBA supports amendments to NCLB and revisions to
Department of Education regulations that will provide full funding as well as
flexibility in order to address the barriers facing local educational agencies (LEAs) in
the successful and effective implementation of NCLB, including:
- provide federal funding consistent with the levels authorized for education
programs and the expanded information systems that are needed;
- permit alternative methodology for determining AYP targets and progress for
students with disabilities, and for students with limited English proficiency;
- authorize alternative assessments for students with limited English
proficiency and for students with disabilities beyond that of “significant cognitive disability”, and provide flexibility to states as to the number of
students whose alternative assessments may be counted for AYP purposes;
- allow students with disabilities to take tests at their actual reading level and
then include their scores for calculation with the corresponding grade level;
- provide states more flexibility in measuring AYP in smaller districts with
small subgroups. In calculating AYP, students identified in more than one
group may be represented in the count for each group as an equal fraction
totaling one student, ensuring that a small number of students are not overrepresented.
- provide states flexibility to adopt gain score or value-added measures for
determining AYP;
- provide for waivers and extensions for LEAs in meeting the qualification
requirements for teachers and paraprofessionals;
- when public funds under Title II, Part A are provided by LEAs to private
school children, teachers, and other educational personnel for educational
services on an equitable basis and in a timely manner, those private schools
should be held to the same accountability standards that apply to public
schools;
- ensure that the current law and subsequent revisions recognize that
education is primarily a state and local responsibility.
If the Congress and the Department of Education do not make the proposed
revisions to NCLB and its regulations, then Congress should suspend
implementation of the relevant aspects of the law until the changes are made. (2003-
2009)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
- Should the special education mandates of the state of New Hampshire exceed the
federal special education requirements, then the state of NH should fully fund those
mandates that exceed federal requirements to the local school districts. (2009)
