Committee Summary for Senate Education (04/10/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB90 00:01:17.280 - 8:15:18 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the definition of part-time teachers.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2024
HB324 00:49:11.240 - 9:03:12 AM	Public Hearing	relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools.	Cordelli, Glenn(R)[A-]2024
HB741 02:16:24.800 - 10:30:25 AM	Public Hearing	allowing parents to send their children to any school district they choose.	Cordelli, Glenn(R)[A-]2024
HB749 02:48:21.600 - 11:02:22 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) requiring instruction on communism in public high schools.	Moffett, Michael(R)[A-]2024
HB754 03:01:10.640 - 11:15:11 AM	Public Hearing	establishing automatic discovery in due process hearings for actions seeking to enforce special education rights.	Murphy, Nancy(D)[CT]2024

HB90: Representative Lad Support00:01:17.280 - 8:15:18 AM; Representative Lad introduced HB90, which focuses on allowing part-time teachers, specifically from the community college or university system, to teach concurrent and dual enrollment courses in high schools. He explained that the bill aims to address the issue of students in smaller schools not having access to these courses due to a lack of staff with the required master's degree. He noted that the community college system has already been implementing this approach in places like Franklin, but the lack of certification for these part-time teachers is an issue. He suggested an amendment to narrow the bill's scope to focus solely on concurrent and dual enrollment courses, ensuring that the academic standards are maintained and that these courses are taught by qualified college or university faculty, not just any course.
HB90: Senator Oil Information Only00:08:11.879 - 8:22:12 AM; Senator Oil sought clarification on whether the bill was aimed at deviating from certified teachers due to a lack in specific courses or subjects. Representative Lad explained that the bill is not about circumventing certification but rather about ensuring that schools without the necessary staff can still offer concurrent and dual enrollment courses, potentially by bringing in professors from the community college system to teach these courses.
HB90: Senator Pentes Information Only00:13:54.800 - 8:27:55 AM; Senator Pentes, recalling the bill from the previous year, discussed the intent behind HB90, which was to bring in community members with expertise to teach in smaller schools that could not afford or recruit certified teachers. He expressed support for the dual enrollment aspect and questioned the enforcement of the code of conduct for non-certified teachers, to which Representative Lad responded that the Department of Education would set rules to maintain high academic standards and adherence to the code of conduct.
HB90: Representative Glenn Cordelli, Tuftonborough, Wolfeboro, and Ossipee Support00:19:10.240 - 8:33:11 AM; Representative Cordelli supported the bill and discussed its history, noting that it had been debated in the previous year and was modified in the House to allow faculty from the community college or university system to teach not only concurrent and dual enrollment courses but also other subject areas in high schools. He emphasized the need for high-quality instruction and courses in public schools, suggesting that this bill would help achieve that goal.
HB90: Deborah H, President of the American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire Oppose00:23:48.000 - 8:37:49 AM; Deborah H expressed opposition to the bill, particularly to the part allowing community college or university faculty to teach any course in high schools. She argued that limiting the bill to dual and concurrent enrollment courses would be more appropriate, as these courses maintain the same standards as college courses. She raised concerns about the ability of non-certified teachers to meet the needs of English language learners and special education students, suggesting that the bill should include provisions for supporting these students, such as requiring workshops or assigning additional staff to assist.
HB90: Senator Alchiller Information Only00:27:39.320 - 8:41:40 AM; Senator Alchiller expressed concerns about the bill, specifically regarding the potential for high schools to use community college faculty to fill teaching roles without first exhausting all avenues to hire certified high school teachers. He suggested that an amendment requiring proof of need and attempts to fill positions with competitive pay could improve the bill. He also noted the anecdotal nature of the testimony supporting the bill and emphasized the differences between teaching at high school and community college levels.
HB90: Patrick Kate, President, Lake Community College Support00:31:50.159 - 8:45:51 AM; Patrick Kate supported the amendment to the bill, discussing the practical implementation of early college programs at Lake Community College. He described three ways dual and concurrent enrollment courses are offered: through high school teachers mentored by college faculty, online courses in partnership with VLAX, and high school students attending community college classes. He specifically highlighted the collaboration with Franklin High School, which faced challenges in hiring math and science teachers. This partnership allowed students to take courses at the community college campus, receiving dual credits. Kate emphasized the importance of such programs in reducing higher education costs and providing opportunities for students to engage in college-level work.
HB90: Senator Abbas Information Only00:36:32.720 - 8:50:33 AM; Senator Abbas inquired about the funding mechanisms for high school students attending community college courses. Patrick Kate explained that funding varies, sometimes covered by the school or through grants like the governor's grant for dual enrollment, and occasionally out of pocket by students.
HB90: Senator Alchilla Information Only00:37:22.320 - 8:51:23 AM; Senator Alchilla sought clarification on the dual enrollment program, confirming that Running Start is now called Early College. He discussed the specifics of the Franklin High School example, understanding that the collaboration began before the staffing crisis but was adapted to address it. He proposed adding language to the bill to ensure high schools demonstrate inability to fill positions with certified teachers before engaging community college faculty, though Patrick Kate was hesitant to speak on behalf of high schools regarding hiring processes.
HB90: Brian Hawkins, NEA New Hampshire Oppose00:41:08.040 - 8:55:09 AM; Brian Hawkins expressed concerns about the broad scope of the bill, particularly the language in section D which could extend to elementary and middle schools. He emphasized the need to focus on the specific goal of addressing dual and concurrent enrollment needs rather than broader educational staffing issues. Hawkins cautioned against using the proposed solution as a band-aid for the larger issue of educator workforce challenges, which he believes should be addressed by improving teacher compensation and professional development.
HB90: Brian Hawkins, NEA New Hampshire Information Only00:41:08.040 - 8:55:09 AM; Brian Hawkins concluded his testimony emphasizing the importance of creating an environment that attracts and retains qualified educators. He was open to questions from the committee.
HB90: Senator Abvis Information Only00:43:01.359 - 8:57:02 AM; Senator Abvis questioned the technical reading of the bill, suggesting that it might allow a college professor to teach in an elementary class. He acknowledged the local school's role as the gatekeeper but stressed the need for clear language to address the bill's goal of solving a specific problem.
HB90: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:44:39.760 - 8:58:40 AM; An unnamed speaker responded to Senator Abvis, agreeing on the need for precise language in the bill. They pointed out that the language in line 12 might be too broad and could allow teaching in areas not limited to high school.
HB90: Nancy Beerman, New Boston Oppose00:45:36.079 - 8:59:37 AM; Nancy Beerman expressed concerns about the bill, particularly about the lack of guardrails regarding the code of conduct and ethics for educational professionals. She shared a personal anecdote about an unqualified teacher teaching inappropriate content and stressed the need for training and consequences for violations, referencing lines 15 and 16 of the bill.
HB324: Representative Glenn Cordelli, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, and Ossipee Support00:49:11.240 - 9:03:12 AM; Representative Glenn Cordelli introduced HB324, which aims to remove K-12 education from the state's obscenity law exemption. He explained the bill's purpose to address age-inappropriate and harmful materials in schools. He mentioned a process for parents to object to materials and appeal to the state board of education, and noted a civil right of action if districts do not follow the complaint process. He cited specific examples of inappropriate content found in school libraries and on school computers.
HB324: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:53:47.920 - 9:07:48 AM; An unnamed speaker raised a point of order during Representative Cordelli's testimony, questioning the appropriateness of reading detailed sexual content from a book found in schools. The speaker suggested that the case could be presented without such detail.
HB324: Unnamed Speaker Oppose00:56:30.960 - 9:10:31 AM; The speaker expressed concern about the sexualization of children in schools, citing an example of a young girl who progressed from inappropriate material to sending pictures to men online. They criticized the focus on sexual education over academics, pointing out declining reading and English scores. They suggested that schools should concentrate on teaching knowledge and academics rather than sexualizing children.
HB324: Senator Alip Information Only00:57:47.559 - 9:11:48 AM; Senator Alip questioned the previous speaker about their understanding and context of 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower.' They highlighted the book's broader themes, including sexuality, drug use, sexual assault, and mental health, which are relevant to high school students. They criticized the speaker for using a small, salacious snippet out of context and questioned whether the speaker had read the entire book, which they had not.
HB324: Senator Abbus Information Only00:59:04.079 - 9:13:05 AM; Senator Abbus challenged the previous speaker's perspective on 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower,' suggesting that reading such material out of context could give young boys inappropriate ideas about behavior towards young women. The speaker defended their stance by stating they had no interest in reading the whole book.
HB324: Senator Sullivan Oppose01:00:12.640 - 9:14:13 AM; Senator Sullivan expressed discomfort among listeners when the material from 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' was read aloud. They argued against the appropriateness of such material being available to minors in school libraries without parental awareness, particularly for children who might have been victims of sexual assault.
HB324: Senator Alchilla Support01:01:26.240 - 9:15:27 AM; Senator Alchilla supported the idea that reading about common experiences like sexual assault in literature could help victims feel less isolated and encourage them to seek help from trusted adults. They suggested that seeing themselves reflected in literature could be beneficial for victims of incest as well, promoting a sense of community and support.
HB324: Barrett Christina, New Hampshire School Boards Association Oppose01:02:56.000 - 9:16:57 AM; Barrett Christina from the New Hampshire School Boards Association expressed concerns about House Bill 324. They supported the idea of school boards implementing processes for parents to challenge books but had issues with the bill's definitions of nudity and sexual conduct, fearing it could be too broadly interpreted to ban classic literature. They also opposed the civil penalty included in the bill, arguing that the remedy for due process violations should be the process itself, not monetary damages. Additionally, they disagreed with automatic appeal rights to the state board of education, citing potential overreach and the complexity of the issue which cannot be adequately addressed in a short time frame.
HB324: Barrett Christina, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only01:02:56.000 - 9:16:57 AM; Barrett Christina from the New Hampshire School Boards Association finished speaking at 01:02:56.000, discussing the process related to Senate Bill 33 and Senate Bill 208. They indicated that the process is workable and the amendments provided by the school boards association are constitutional, reasonable for parents, and more appropriate than House Bill 324. They offered to provide further written comments and were open to answering questions.
HB324: Senator Aliller Information Only01:06:29.440 - 9:20:30 AM; Senator Aliller asked Barrett Christina about the objections, specifically about enforcement and penalties mentioned in the testimony. They inquired about an RSA mentioned during the discussion, which was clarified as 21-n col 11 paragraph 3, related to the automatic right of appeal to the state board of education. Further clarification was sought on civil actions against school districts for violations of process as outlined in the bill.
HB324: Kristen Noble, Hillsboro District 2, Bedford Oppose01:10:50.400 - 9:24:51 AM; Kristen Noble from Bedford spoke against House Bill 324, citing concerns about inappropriate books in school libraries. She referenced a book titled 'Let's Talk About It,' which she found dangerous and grooming for encouraging readers to watch porn and engage in other explicit activities. She also criticized another book, 'This Book is Gay,' found in a middle school, for describing various sexual acts and promoting unsafe sexual encounters. Noble argued that these books do not protect the innocence of minors and provided a package with more information on the books and their locations in schools.
HB324: Sharon Silva, New Hampshire School Library Association Oppose01:14:29.040 - 9:28:30 AM; Sharon Silva, speaking on behalf of school librarians and the New Hampshire Library Association, opposed House Bill 324. She argued that the bill undermines local authority and suggested it should be voted inexpedient to legislate. Silva shared her experience as a retired educator and library media specialist, emphasizing that existing policies effectively handle book objections. She recounted a single instance where a parent went through the formal process to challenge a book, which was resolved amicably. Silva stressed the importance of local control in managing library collections.
HB324: Bellamy Riddinger, Hopkinton Oppose01:19:34.000 - 9:33:35 AM; Bellamy Riddinger from Hopkinton opposed HB 324, describing it as a book ban that does not protect kids but instead controls libraries and discriminates against the LGBT community. They argued that books provide a safe space for youth to learn about uncomfortable issues, such as rape and incest, and that book bans historically target marginalized communities. Riddinger emphasized the importance of school libraries as places for free thought and learning, advocating for lawmakers to defend these spaces and oppose bills like HB 324 to protect vulnerable communities.
HB324: Deborah House, American Federation of Teachers Oppose01:23:51.239 - 9:37:52 AM; Deborah House, President of the American Federation of Teachers, opposed House Bill 324, arguing that while clear library collection policies are needed, the bill does not meet constitutional standards. She highlighted the importance of students' First Amendment rights to access diverse materials and criticized the bill's definition of harmful content and its lack of requirement to consider materials in their entirety. House argued for local community involvement in reconsideration processes and against the criminal punishment of school employees for library materials, emphasizing the need for local control and community standards.
HB324: Katie D'Angelus, Nottingham, New Hampshire Oppose01:28:13.760 - 9:42:14 AM; Katie D'Angelus, a resident of Nottingham, New Hampshire, spoke against HB324, emphasizing her personal experience as a survivor of childhood sexual assault. She explained how reading books that mirrored her experiences helped her process and heal from her trauma. D'Angelus argued that HB324's vague language could lead to the censorship of such books and potentially criminalize educators and librarians for providing them. She highlighted that existing policies allow parents to opt their children out of objectionable content, but stressed that individual family preferences should not dictate what is available to all students. She concluded by urging the committee to vote no on HB324 to protect the rights of all children to access these healing resources.
HB324: Kevin Gagnon, Salem, New Hampshire Support01:35:06.080 - 9:49:07 AM; Kevin Gagnon, a widowed stay-at-home parent from Salem, New Hampshire, supported House Bill 324. He shared his experience discovering obscene materials in schools and libraries, highlighting a specific instance with the book 'Lawnboy'. He explained his unsuccessful attempts to address his concerns with school authorities, ultimately leading him to transfer his son to a charter school. He emphasized that the issue is about keeping sexually explicit materials out of schools, not banning books, and stressed the need for higher educational standards.
HB324: Unknown Information Only01:38:08.400 - 9:52:09 AM; An unidentified speaker questioned Kevin Gagnon about safeguards for children and their First Amendment rights, drawing a comparison to movie ratings and suggesting similar restrictions for library materials. The speaker mentioned the need for a solution that could satisfy all parties, using the example of restricted sections in video stores from their childhood.
HB324: Senator Aliller Information Only01:40:29.280 - 9:54:30 AM; Senator Aliller questioned Kevin Gagnon about his objection to the book 'Lawnboy' and why his objection should supersede others' decisions regarding their children's access to the book. Gagnon responded strongly, emphasizing the book's inclusion of pedophilia and questioning the senator's stance on it.
HB324: Nancy Beerman Support01:41:41.840 - 9:55:42 AM; Nancy Beerman supported House Bill 324 by recounting her experience challenging two books in her child's high school library. She detailed her process through the school's policy, meeting with the principal and a committee, and eventually the superintendent. Despite the books being removed due to low circulation, she felt RSA 571-B was ineffective in protecting children from harmful materials.
HB324: Betsy Harrington, Dearing, New Hampshire Support01:45:57.600 - 9:59:58 AM; Betsy Harrington from Dearing, New Hampshire, supported the bill, sharing her background as a mother and former sex offender counselor. She described inappropriate content her son found on a school Chromebook, including books linking children to adult dating sites and explicit content. She expressed frustration over the lack of action from the school, which opted her children out of the library rather than addressing the content, and emphasized the need for the bill to protect children from obscene materials.
HB324: Senator Sullivan Information Only01:48:51.119 - 10:02:52 AM; Senator Sullivan engaged in a dialogue with Betsy Harrington about the potential impact of the books on children, distinguishing between pornography and adult content. Harrington argued that all age-inappropriate content, whether in words or pictures, should be considered obscene and removed from children's access. She provided examples of inappropriate materials found in school libraries, reinforcing the need for the bill.
HB324: Gil Besett, ACLU of New Hampshire Oppose01:54:17.599 - 10:08:18 AM; Gil Besett, the legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, testified in opposition to HB324. He emphasized that the ACLU does not object to regulating materials defined as obscenity, which is constitutionally unprotected, but stressed that such regulations must meet constitutional standards. Besett pointed out that New Hampshire already has a law in place since 1976, RSA 571B, which prevents giving minors harmful materials, suggesting that HB324 might go beyond this existing law, potentially banning texts in schools that are protected under the Constitution. He also criticized HB324 for being overly expansive in defining nudity and sexual excitement, and for exceeding community standards by giving the state board of education the power to dictate, which he believes undermines local community standards. Lastly, Besett expressed concerns about the expansion of criminal liability under the bill, affecting both public and private schools.
HB324: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:57:40.960 - 10:11:41 AM; An unnamed speaker asked about the application of RSA 571B to the book 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', specifically questioning whether excerpts or the whole book should be considered in determining its harm to minors. The response clarified that constitutional analysis requires looking at the work holistically and contextually, in line with the 'taken as a whole' language in the statute.
HB324: Unnamed Speaker Information Only01:59:41.920 - 10:13:42 AM; Another unnamed speaker followed up on the previous question, seeking clarification on whether content decisions should be made at the local level. The response affirmed that decisions about content curation and objections should align with local community standards, expressing concern over the state board of education's authority to override local decisions as proposed in HB324.
HB324: Lind Jake House, 603 Equality New Hampshire, Dover Oppose02:02:07.599 - 10:16:08 AM; Lind Jake House from 603 Equality New Hampshire, representing the town of Dover, strongly opposed HB324. He recounted a local incident where a book, 'Boy Toy', was targeted for banning due to its sexual content taken out of context. House argued that such actions could lead to the suppression of important narratives and educational materials related to the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.
HB324: Michaela Demiter, Dover School Board Oppose02:06:00.560 - 10:20:01 AM; Michaela Demiter, a member of the Dover School Board and the policy committee, spoke against HB324. She detailed the process Dover School District went through in 2023 to address nine book challenges, emphasizing the rigorous policy development they undertook over eight months. Demiter argued that the bill undermines local control, which is crucial for tailoring policies to meet community needs. She highlighted the thoroughness of Dover's policy, which was developed to ensure fairness and due diligence in reviewing challenged materials. Demiter objected to the state's potential overreach in book challenges, as it would override local school board decisions, which she believes should have jurisdiction over their districts.
HB741: Glenn Cordelli, Representative from Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, and Ossipee Support02:16:24.800 - 10:30:25 AM; Representative Glenn Cordelli introduced HB741, describing it as a bill for public school choice. He argued that public schools currently practice 'zip code discrimination' and that this bill would expand open enrollment to all districts, removing barriers for students to attend schools outside their residential district. Cordelli explained the mechanics of the bill, including how schools would report capacity and how funding would follow the student, with the sending district retaining 20% of the average cost per pupil. He highlighted examples from other states where open enrollment has led to innovation and better retention strategies. He believes the bill promotes leadership, innovation, and freedom in public education.
HB741: Senator Alchiller Information Only02:26:01.439 - 10:40:02 AM; Senator Alchiller questioned Representative Cordelli about the potential for increased state funding to improve education quality, suggesting that this could ensure all schools are the best. Representative Cordelli responded that such funding might be outside the scope of the current legislation and emphasized that money alone does not define a good education or school.
HB741: Representative Cordelli Information Only02:27:02.479 - 10:41:03 AM; Representative Cordelli responded to a question about supporting local schools by referencing existing legislation that allows schools to apply for waivers from administrative rules, similar to charter schools, to increase flexibility. He also expressed skepticism about the impact of increasing the adequacy grant on public education and property tax relief.
HB741: Brian Winsel, Northwood School Board SAU44 Oppose02:29:16.080 - 10:43:17 AM; Brian Winsel, representing the Northwood School Board, opposed HB741, citing the chaotic nature of its proposed school choice mechanism. He highlighted the unpredictability of funding impacts on school districts, using Northwood as an example where the cost per pupil would significantly affect budgeting. He warned of potential financial stress or failure for some schools if the bill were to pass.
HB741: Bar Christina, New Hampshire School Boards Association Oppose02:32:48.840 - 10:46:49 AM; Bar Christina from the New Hampshire School Boards Association opposed HB741, noting similarities to Senate Bill 101. She criticized specific provisions, such as the requirement for legislative bodies to establish policies and the logistical burdens on schools, including monthly capacity reports. She also raised concerns about transportation inequities and the potential for one district to subsidize another, questioning the bill's impact on budgeting and educational outcomes.
HB741: Dr. Timothy Brick, Superintendent for Alton and Barnstead Support02:39:34.720 - 10:53:35 AM; Dr. Timothy Brick, Superintendent for the Alton and Barnstead school districts, supported HB741, sharing his experience with the state's only open enrollment program. He argued for the necessity of a functional public school choice system in New Hampshire, emphasizing the potential benefits of competition among schools and the capacity issues faced by his districts. He suggested that the bill would clarify existing law to improve school choice.
HB741: David Trumbull, Town of Ware Oppose02:43:49.200 - 10:57:50 AM; David Trumbull from Ware opposed HB741, arguing that open enrollment as proposed would not provide choice to all children, particularly those unable to afford transportation, those with discipline issues, and those from urban schools. He cited studies indicating that open enrollment could exacerbate educational inequalities due to New Hampshire's low state funding for education, suggesting that funding all schools adequately first would be a better approach.
HB749: Representative Mike Moffett, representing Marramac, Loudon, Canterbury, and Loudon Support02:48:21.600 - 11:02:22 AM; Representative Mike Moffett supported HB749, which requires at least an hour of classroom study on the origin and nature of communism. He emphasized the importance of understanding communism due to its historical and current impact, including its role in global conflicts and repression. He argued that such education is crucial for awareness, especially given the ongoing threats posed by communist regimes, and noted that implementation would be left to local control with minimal state oversight.
HB749: Richie Boule, former teacher at Littleton High School and New Hampshire Tech Support02:56:22.000 - 11:10:23 AM; Richie Boule, a former teacher at Littleton High School and New Hampshire Tech, spoke in strong support of HB749. He shared his experience teaching a course called 'Problems of Democracy' at Littleton High School from 1960 to 1979, which included an eight-week segment on communism and its impact on democracy. He emphasized the importance of students understanding these topics, citing successful former students who benefited from the course, including a state senator, an executive councilor, a Boston College chair, an auto industry leader, a Department of Transportation commissioner, a professional baseball player, a Catholic priest, and a credit union head. Boule acknowledged the bill's provision of one hour for this topic but suggested that more time should be allocated, as other schools have done, to ensure comprehensive education on these subjects.
HB754: Senator Deborah Aliller, District 24, representing Representative Nancy Murphy of Hillsboro 12, Town of Merrimack Support03:01:10.640 - 11:15:11 AM; Senator Deborah Aliller introduced House Bill 754 on behalf of Representative Nancy Murphy, who was unable to attend due to voting on the House floor. The bill aims to establish automatic discovery in due process hearings for special education rights enforcement, making the process less legally burdensome for pro se parents and advocates. It would codify the documents parents should receive before a hearing, ensuring consistency across different school districts and SAUs. The bill is a bipartisan effort to support children with disabilities and their parents, guaranteeing access to crucial pre-hearing documents that could impact the outcome of the hearing.
HB754: Kristen Mammani, special education advocate, with colleague Tim Lahan Support03:03:35.680 - 11:17:36 AM; Kristen Mammani, a special education advocate, supported House Bill 754, emphasizing the need to view special education expenditures as investments in students and the system. She highlighted the bill's potential to streamline the due process for hearing officers and assist pro se parents by ensuring the timely presentation of essential documents, such as progress reports and IEPs. Mammani noted that in many cases, these basic documents are elusive or non-existent, complicating the process. She suggested that requiring these documents at the outset of a case could lead to more fluid dispute resolution and encourage better documentation practices. Mammani also shared an example where a parent received 2700 pages of documents just five days before a hearing, illustrating the need for earlier access to information.

Ward, Ruth(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Sullivan, Victoria(V Chairman)(R)	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2024
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2024	Abbas, Daryl(R)[C+]2024