The bill HB 765-FN-LOCAL proposes significant reforms to the governance structure of school administrative units in New Hampshire, primarily by transitioning the role of school superintendents to elected positions and replacing the term "school administrative unit" with "school districts" or "school administrators" throughout existing laws. This change aims to streamline legal language and enhance the authority of school boards, which will now be responsible for developing and evaluating curricula, overseeing educational services, and managing fiscal affairs. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the compensation of superintendents, allowing county conventions to set their salaries and benefits, with a requirement for biennial reviews and a minimum salary threshold based on historical data.

Moreover, the bill outlines new responsibilities for school boards, mandates transparency in budgeting through detailed reports to voters, and establishes a Parents as Teachers Program in Sullivan County. It also modifies the processes for school building construction, the election of superintendents, and the withdrawal from cooperative school districts. The bill includes a staggered implementation timeline, with some provisions taking effect immediately and others in subsequent years, while the fiscal impact remains undetermined pending further analysis from relevant state departments. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance governance, accountability, and operational efficiency within the state's educational framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5-B:2, 23:7, 28:8, 30:1, 31:105, 31:106, 32:24, 53-A:2, 91-A:1-a, 98-E:1-a, 100-A:20, 101:2, 141-C:1-a, 188-E:16, 189:1-a, 189:39, 189:76, 193:35, 195:30, 199:1, 354-A:30, 362-A:1-, 507:17, 507-B:1, 507-B:7-a, 653:1, 655:10, 661:9, 194-C:2
HB765 text: 5-B:2, 23:7, 28:8, 30:1, 31:105, 31:106, 32:24, 53-A:2, 91-A:1-a, 98-E:1-a, 100-A:20, 101:2, 141-C:1-a, 188-E:16, 189:1-a, 189:39, 189:76, 193:35, 195:30, 199:1, 354-A:30, 362-A:1-a, 507:17, 507-B:1, 507-B:7-a, 653:1, 655:10, 661:9