NH School Scoop - July 1, 2025
The ConVal public school funding decision is in, NH schools will not receive promised Title II funds today, and get ready to ban cell phones bell-to-bell.
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🔥 In a blockbuster decision, the NH Supreme Court agreed with a lower court ruling that the state’s K-12 public school funding is so low that is “woefully inadequate” and does not provide an adequate education. However, in this “ConVal Case” verdict, the Court reversed the lower court by not requiring an immediate boost in funding, leaving specific funding decisions to the state legislature.
The decision was split 3-2 among the justices.
The case builds on decades of legal battles in New Hampshire over school funding, including the landmark Claremont decisions, which established the state’s obligation to fund an adequate education for every child.
New Hampshire currently provides one of the lowest shares of state funding for public education in the country, with local property taxes making up the majority of school support. This system has led to significant disparities between property-rich and property-poor communities.
🏦 The Trump Administration has decided to withhold nearly $6.8 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools, scheduled to be delivered today. Many NH schools use this funding to cover staff salaries, vendor contracts, and other expenses. In previous updates, we noted that New Hampshire had received federal funding for IDEA, but this latest delay affects Title II funds, which are specifically used for professional development in schools. According to Politico, the Administration is still reviewing all grant funding and has not made any final decisions for the upcoming school year. As of now, the NH Department of Education has not commented on this development. (potential paywall.)
📲 Governor Ayotte has signed legislation that limits student cell phone use in schools, aiming to reduce distractions and bullying. The bill was included in HB 2, which is part of the proposed $15.9 billion, two-year state budget. SB 206, the cell phone ban amendment, was attached to the budget bill. Democrats had serious objections to the expansion of education freedom accounts and not enough funding for public schools.
📜 Other education-related legislation ending the legislative session includes the following:
Gender-Affirming Care for Minors: Two bills (HB 712 and HB 377) ban gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors. If signed, these would follow a 2024 law prohibiting genital surgeries for minors.
Parental Access to Library Records: HB 273 would allow parents to access their children’s public library borrowing histories, creating an exception to current confidentiality laws.
These passed bills now await action from Governor Ayotte.
⚖️ The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, decided that parents have a constitutional right to excuse their children from school lessons involving LGBTQ+-themed storybooks if those lessons conflict with their religious beliefs. The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, emphasized that the Constitution protects parents’ rights to direct their children’s religious upbringing and that the school board’s refusal to allow opt-outs violated this right. (potential paywall.)
🧒 New Hampshire’s early childhood care and education (ECE) sector is facing worsening challenges, with high tuition costs averaging nearly $30,000 annually for center-based care, making it unaffordable for many families—especially single parents. ECE professionals continue to earn low wages, with median annual salaries well below the state’s living wage requirements, leading to financial insecurity and reliance on public assistance for many workers. Between 2023 and 2024, the ECE workforce in New Hampshire decreased by approximately 8%, a decline attributed to the expiration of federal COVID-19 aid and ongoing challenges in recruitment and retention, particularly among family-based providers.
🏅 Extra Credit:
As Manchester Central High graduates, my wife and I remember Central’s Physical Education teacher Don “T” Tibbets, who passed away last week. Tributes are pouring in, including one from his student, Adam Sandler.
The Concord High wrestling team’s assistant coaches were named the High School Boys State Assistant Coaching Staff of the Year award.
Surprisingly, school food service debt continues to be covered in the Scoop. The Concord School District incurred a $100,000 lunch debt this past school year, and the School Board is working to address the issue.
While NH continues to increase support for school choice, the Feds appear to be close to delivering national private school choice.
A new report from the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy shows that education spending in NH has increased while student enrollment has declined.
D.J. Bakie Elementary School in Kingston, New Hampshire, is undergoing significant administrative changes following an investigation into allegations that a former special education teacher assaulted students. The inquiry centered on accusations against former teacher Aimee Ragonese, who was charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault. (potential paywall.)
👩🎓 Student Wins:
Congratulations to Ryan Duvarney, who just graduated from Nashua South High School. He won a medal at one of the US’s largest career and technical education competitions, the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta.
NH students from Deerfield, Epsom, New Boston, Moultonboro, Loudon, and across the state learn life skills through 4-H. One of these students is studying animal science at UNH in the fall.
State Senator Donavan Fenton is working with Keene fourth graders to help them navigate the legislative process and establish the official state marsupial. The importance of this bill may pale in comparison to most legislation, but it’s an excellent experience for elementary school students.
Southwick School in Northfield recently completed an Artist-in-Residence program featuring ceramic artist Teresa Taylor, owner of Salty Dog Pottery in Barnstead, NH. Taylor worked closely with students, teachers, staff, and volunteers to design and assemble a collaborative clay tile mural.
Berlin School District special education teachers Nicole Arguin and Stacy Couture, along with Golden Retrievers Sammy and Charlie Pickles, attended the June 19 Berlin School Board meeting. The board is working on a policy titled “therapy animals,” which is still in progress and has not yet had a final reading or vote. (potential paywall.)
The Keene High Unified Track and Field team won its third consecutive NHIAA state championship a week ago at Alvirne High School in Hudson.
16-year-old Oliver Leandro completed an Eagle Scout project by building a new patio and outdoor reading area at Gilford Public Library. He managed all aspects, including raising $3,000 from local businesses and organizations, and oversaw construction with the help of 11 groups.
Keene State College is responding to a continuing worker shortage in the manufacturing sector by organizing a STEM summer camp in July 2025. The camp is designed for middle and high school students and will focus on optics—the science of light. (potential paywall.)
📖 Picks of the Week:
The power of collective teacher efficacy and team-teaching remains evident. Findings from a new study from Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and the Center on Reinventing Public Education Key include:
Teachers in teams are much less likely to leave their jobs (11.7% turnover) compared to traditional classrooms (21%) and the national average (16%).
New teachers report greater decision-making authority, which is linked to lower turnover.
The lowest turnover (6.6%) occurs when teachers have both team membership and high decision-making authority.
George Couros has been a leading educator, speaker, and writer in the field of school leadership for many years. He has three simple thoughts for us today:
Surround yourself with people who make you better and whom you know you can count on.
Do your best to treat every person doing a job as the most important person in an organization, and they will go out of their way to do the same.
The more grateful we become for what we have, the more that seems to come into our lives.
A few notes:
The Scoop will be taking next week off and will return on July 15. Happy Summer! 🏖️
If you represent an educational non-profit, we would be glad to get the word out about your event. Just send it to Bill at nhschoolscoop@gmail.com.
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