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" in various legal contexts. This change aims to streamline educational governance and enhance the authority of school boards, which will now be responsible for developing, evaluating, and implementing school curriculums. The bill also introduces new provisions for the compensation of superintendents, allowing county conventions to set their salaries and benefits biennially, and ensures that superintendents are subject to the same legal frameworks as other county officers.

In addition to governance changes, the bill emphasizes individual rights regarding immunizations, specifically stating that no one can be compelled to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to access public services. It establishes a Parents as Teachers Program for a rural community in Sullivan County and modifies the budgetary process for school districts, particularly in Hillsborough County. The bill also outlines procedures for public hearings on school building renovations and the election of superintendents, ensuring community involvement and a smooth transition to the new governance structure. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance accountability, streamline operations, and clarify the roles of various educational entities while protecting individual rights.

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