Committee Summary for House Education Funding (01/14/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
Unclear 00:08:54.519 - 9:07:45 AM	General Working Session	Unclear

Unclear: Representative Lad from Hale Information Only00:08:54.519 - 9:07:45 AM; Representative Lad, the chair of the new Education Funding Committee, welcomed everyone to the session. He explained that the committee was formed to handle the significant volume of bills related to education funding, Career Technical Education, and higher education from the previous year. The committee aims to explore and research topics that require more attention, particularly those related to funding policies. He mentioned the upcoming schedule, noting that representatives from the University and community college systems would be present at 11:00 AM. He also introduced the committee members and their roles, including Vice Chair Representative Spillsbury and Ranking Member Representative Luno.
Unclear: Representative Luno from Hopkinton Information Only00:10:39.480 - 9:09:30 AM; Representative Luno introduced himself as the ranking member of the committee and mentioned his role in ensuring the committee's operations run smoothly.
Unclear: Representative Spillsbury from Charlestown Information Only00:11:42.880 - 9:10:33 AM; Representative Spillsbury introduced himself as the Vice Chair and expressed his enthusiasm for moving to the education committee, highlighting his previous experience on Ways and Means and his interest in education.
Unclear: Representative Ré Kulam from Hillsboro Information Only00:10:39.480 - 9:09:30 AM; Representative Ré Kulam introduced himself as a member of the committee representing Hillsboro.
Unclear: Representative Raven Peoples from Litchfield Information Only00:10:39.480 - 9:09:30 AM; Representative Raven Peoples introduced herself as a member of the committee representing Litchfield.
Unclear: Representative Pete Mahagan from Pembroke Information Only00:10:39.480 - 9:09:30 AM; Representative Pete Mahagan introduced himself as a member of the committee representing Pembroke.
Unclear: Representative Dick Ames from Jaffrey Information Only00:10:39.480 - 9:09:30 AM; Representative Dick Ames introduced himself as a member of the committee representing Jaffrey.
Unclear: Representative Hope Damon from Sullivan County Information Only00:11:42.880 - 9:10:33 AM; Representative Hope Damon introduced herself as a member of the committee representing the Sullivan County towns of Acworth, Langdon, Lempster, Goshen, Washington, Springfield, Sunapee, and Claremont.
Unclear: Representative Terry Spillsbury from Charlestown Information Only00:11:42.880 - 9:10:33 AM; Representative Terry Spillsbury introduced himself as the Vice Chair, representing Newport, Unity, and Charlestown, and expressed his excitement about being part of the education committee due to his previous involvement in a special subcommittee on education.
Unclear: Representative Rick Lad from Hale Information Only00:11:42.880 - 9:10:33 AM; Representative Rick Lad introduced himself as the chair of the committee, expressing his enthusiasm for focusing on funding policies associated with education.
Unclear: Representative He Brown from Kingston Information Only00:12:32.399 - 9:11:23 AM; Representative He Brown introduced herself as a member of the committee representing Kingston and East Kingston, mentioning her previous service on the local school board.
Unclear: Representative Wayne Burton from Durham Information Only00:12:32.399 - 9:11:23 AM; Representative Wayne Burton introduced himself as a member of the committee representing Durham, mentioning his fifth term and third on the House Education Committee, as well as his role as a town councilor.
Unclear: Representative Sally Fellows from Plymouth Information Only00:12:50.040 - 9:11:41 AM; Representative Sally Fellows introduced herself as a member of the committee representing Plymouth, Ashland, and Holderness, noting her previous work on Ways and Means and her 30-year career at the Department of Education.
Unclear: Representative Suzanne Crean from Manchester Information Only00:12:50.040 - 9:11:41 AM; Representative Suzanne Crean introduced herself as a member of the committee representing Manchester and mentioned her 31-year career as a public school teacher.
Unclear: Representative Tony Weinstein from Newmarket Information Only00:12:50.040 - 9:11:41 AM; Representative Tony Weinstein introduced himself as a member of the committee representing Newmarket and Newfields.
Unclear: Representative Tracy Bicky from Penacook Information Only00:12:50.040 - 9:11:41 AM; Representative Tracy Bicky introduced herself as a member of the committee representing Penacook, Concord, and mentioned her 35-year career as a public school educator and chair of the Merrimack Valley School Board, representing Penacook, Salisbury, Webster, Boscawen, and Loudon.
Unclear: Representative Lad from Hale Information Only00:13:45.839 - 9:12:36 AM; Representative Lad continued the session by outlining the responsibilities and procedures of the committee. He emphasized the committee's focus on education funding policies, including foundation formulas, building aid, career technical education, and special education. He discussed the importance of being respectful to the committee's clerk, Representative Brown, and the necessity of a quorum for executive sessions. He also explained the process for handling bills with financial notes and the protocol for senators testifying. Representative Lad stressed the importance of not engaging in debates during hearings and the appropriate use of technology during sessions. He concluded by addressing the handling of amendments and the need for committee members to introduce them, as well as safety concerns regarding weapons in the committee room.
Unclear: Representative Mahagan from Pembroke Information Only00:35:53.960 - 9:34:44 AM; Representative Mahagan asked for clarification on whether co-sponsors who testify can return to their seats and not be recognized, to which Representative Lad explained that co-sponsors may sit in their committee chairs but cannot engage in the hearing process to avoid bias.
Unclear: Representative Mahagan from Pembroke Information Only00:37:42.119 - 9:36:33 AM; Representative Mahagan inquired about the use of laptops during meetings, specifically about reading pre-written questions. Representative Lad responded by warning against using technology to communicate with others during hearings, suggesting it's better to write questions on paper.
Unclear: Representative Fellows from Plymouth Information Only00:53:30.599 - 9:52:21 AM; Representative Fellows asked about the process for handling amendments during hearings. Representative Lad explained that amendments must be introduced by a committee member and that amendments from outside the committee, such as from a senator, need to be redrafted with a committee member's name before being considered.
Unclear: Representative Burton from Durham Information Only00:56:07.280 - 9:54:58 AM; Representative Burton raised a concern about safety after an incident where a weapon fell out of a committee member's purse during a previous session. Representative Lad acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and reiterated the importance of safety protocols.
Unclear: Representative Lad from Hale Information Only01:09:52.839 - 10:08:43 AM; Representative Lad concluded the session by discussing the upcoming focus on higher education, mentioning the governor's task force and its recommendations on alignment, efficiencies, access, affordability, and transferability of credits. He emphasized the interconnectedness of K-12 and higher education and introduced the next speaker, Kathy Prenter, Chancellor of the University System, to provide further information on higher education initiatives.
Unclear: Katherine Preventure, Chancellor of New Hampshire's University System Information Only01:13:44.360 - 10:12:35 AM; Chancellor Preventure provided an overview of the University System of New Hampshire, which includes three institutions: University of New Hampshire in Durham, Plymouth State University, and Keene State College. She highlighted that UNH is a residential campus, while UNH Manchester serves as a commuter college. The total enrollment for the fall was 23,000 students, with 19,000 undergraduates. The system's operating expenses for the last fiscal year were $928 million, with 20% of the budget allocated to direct research expenditures, which have grown by 75% since 2019. UNH is classified as an R1 University, indicating its status as a leading research institution. The Chancellor emphasized the university system's role in economic development and workforce preparation, noting that it contributes $3.7 billion annually to the state's economy. She discussed partnerships with businesses and the impact of Cooperative Extension across the state. Additionally, she addressed the demographics and declining enrollment in New England, highlighting efforts to keep tuition flat and increase financial aid to mitigate this trend. The Chancellor also mentioned the university's efforts to reduce costs, including staff reductions and investments in new technology to improve efficiency.
Unclear: Representative Luno Information Only01:26:56.560 - 10:25:47 AM; Representative Luno asked Chancellor Preventure about the demographic data driving the university system's business plan, specifically the percentage of high school graduates not seeking post-secondary education. He inquired about the potential to expand the university's customer base beyond traditional students to address this demographic challenge.
Unclear: Chancellor Preventure Information Only01:27:53.119 - 10:26:44 AM; In response to Representative Luno's question, Chancellor Preventure discussed the opportunity to reach students who are not currently considering post-secondary education, suggesting that starting engagement in middle school could be beneficial. She highlighted the university system's collaboration with Granite Advance to offer pathways from community colleges to universities and the potential for early college opportunities to make higher education more accessible and affordable.
Unclear: Representative Burton Information Only01:30:41.320 - 10:29:32 AM; Representative Burton referenced a previous resolution aiming to increase the percentage of the workforce with post-high school credentials to 65% by 2025, which was at 48% at the time. He asked if a new goal of 70% by 2030 might be feasible. Chancellor Preventure expressed interest but emphasized the need to consider the costs and feasibility of such a goal, given the financial constraints the university system is facing.
Unclear: Representative Y Information Only01:37:05.000 - 10:35:56 AM; Representative Y asked about the percentage of New Hampshire residents among university students and whether this was a target number. Chancellor Preventure clarified that the 52% of students being New Hampshire residents is not a target but reflects the university's capacity to accept all eligible in-state students. She also discussed the competition for out-of-state students and the university's efforts to keep tuition affordable for in-state students.
Unclear: Representative (Father of eight children) Information Only01:39:46.679 - 10:38:37 AM; The representative expressed concern about the high percentage of students receiving financial aid and the potential debt they face upon graduation. He asked if there were strategies to mitigate this debt, such as connecting graduates with job opportunities. Chancellor Preventure explained that the majority of graduates find employment or pursue further education post-graduation, and that not all financial aid necessarily translates to debt due to programs like the Granite Guarantee, which covers tuition for needy students.
Unclear: Representative (Question about federal funding) Information Only01:43:32.719 - 10:42:23 AM; The representative inquired about the university system's reliance on federal funding and potential changes to this funding. Chancellor Preventure noted that federal grants, which have increased significantly, are crucial for research and innovation. She expressed concerns about potential changes in federal funding and the university's readiness to pivot if necessary.
Unclear: Mark Rubenstein, Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire Information Only01:45:45.960 - 10:44:36 AM; Chancellor Rubenstein discussed the community college system's role in providing education from high school through lifelong learning, emphasizing its accessibility to working adults. He outlined the system's structure, serving over 24,000 students, including 10,000 high school students who earned credits through early college programs. He highlighted the system's efforts in workforce development, including apprenticeships and business training centers, and the importance of partnerships with high schools and universities. Rubenstein also addressed the system's reliance on state funding and the challenges of maintaining quality education with limited resources.
Unclear: Representative (Question about early college funding) Information Only01:56:33.920 - 10:55:24 AM; The representative asked if increasing early college funding from $2.5 million to $3 million would allow the system to reach more students who are not traditionally college-bound. Chancellor Rubenstein noted that increasing funding could help expand the program to reach more of the intended audience, particularly students in CTE centers.
Unclear: Representative Spillsbury Information Only01:57:20.400 - 10:56:11 AM; Representative Spillsbury asked about the color coding on the map of community college locations. Chancellor Rubenstein explained that each color represents a specific college within the system, which includes seven individually accredited institutions spread across the state.
Unclear: Representative (Question about pathways and corrections) Information Only01:58:08.920 - 10:56:59 AM; The representative inquired about pathways from technical schools to the community college system and the connection between CRTC in Concord and the tech schools. Chancellor Rubenstein detailed the development of over 100 pathways between the community college and university systems, emphasizing the importance of these pathways in making education more affordable and seamless for students.
Unclear: Representative Fellows Information Only02:00:40.719 - 10:59:31 AM; Representative Fellows asked about the use of individual student IDs to track the progression of students from high school to higher education institutions. Chancellor Rubenstein mentioned the system's relationship with the National Student Clearinghouse to track student trajectories but did not have information on how the Department of Education utilizes this data.
Unclear: Representative Burton Information Only02:02:17.719 - 11:01:08 AM; Representative Burton discussed the issue of college graduate migration out of New Hampshire and praised the community college system's efforts to connect students with local employment opportunities. He also highlighted the importance of advising in supporting the numerous pathways available to students. Chancellor Rubenstein agreed, noting the challenges and costs associated with delivering high-quality education in smaller, specialized programs.
Unclear: Representative (Question about technology and pathways) Information Only02:06:28.800 - 11:05:19 AM; The representative asked about the technological compatibility between the university and community college systems to facilitate credit transfer and pathways. Chancellor Rubenstein explained that the two systems are currently on different networks and that moving to a new ERP system is a long-term process. He noted that the community college system is assessing the potential transition to a different platform.
Unclear: Chancellor Rubenstein Information Only02:08:09.400 - 11:07:00 AM; Chancellor Rubenstein discussed the community college system's efforts to improve efficiency, including a 30% reduction in administrative staff over the last decade and the exploration of different administrative structures to better serve students. He mentioned the ongoing analysis of potential single accreditation and the importance of maintaining community connections while improving efficiency.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker Information Only02:09:38.880 - 11:08:29 AM; The speaker expressed hope for progress in education funding and mentioned that they would report back to the committee on higher education developments. They discussed the balance between full-time and adjunct faculty, emphasizing the flexibility and cost management this approach allows. The speaker also highlighted partnerships with employers across the state, which are crucial for aligning education with job opportunities. They mentioned that the community college system is committed to keeping the committee informed through newsletters and an annual report, which includes details on associate degree and certificate programs offered across the state.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker Information Only02:12:09.599 - 11:11:00 AM; The speaker thanked the systems for their efforts in improving efficiencies and helping students find appropriate educational pathways within the state. They concluded the session and reminded the committee of the upcoming meeting on Thursday for the first hearing on HB15.
Unclear: Unknown Speaker Information Only02:13:10.960 - 11:12:01 AM; The speaker discussed the possibility of involving Division 2 Democrats in future sessions, particularly if they have questions or need to engage with the committee. There was a casual exchange about the fatigue of the day's discussions and an informal agreement on the approach to involve more members.

Ladd, Rick(Chairman)(R)[B+]2024	Brown, Pam(Clerk)(R)	Spilsbury, Walter(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2024
McGuire, Dan(R)[A+]2024	Ames, Dick(D)[CT]2024	Burton, Wayne(D)[CT]2018
Luneau, David(D)[CT]2024	Colcombe, Riché(R)[A-]2024	Chretien, Suzanne(D)
Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A+]2024	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2024	Kofalt, Jim(R)[A+]2024
Fellows, Sallie(D)[CT]2024	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2024	Bricchi, Tracy(D)
Weinstein, Toni(D)	Peeples, Raymond(R)	Mehegan, Peter(R)