The bill HB 1804-FN seeks to reform the governance structure of school administrative units in New Hampshire by transitioning the role of chief school administrators from appointed to elected positions. It empowers school boards to take charge of curriculum development and fiscal oversight, enhancing local governance in education. Key amendments include the insertion of provisions that allow county conventions to set salaries and benefits for chief school administrators, and the replacement of the term "superintendent of schools" with "chief school administrator" throughout the legislation to ensure consistent terminology. The bill also mandates that chief school administrators submit annual reports, thereby increasing accountability within the educational governance framework.

Additionally, the bill introduces significant changes to hiring practices within educational institutions, including the requirement for criminal history records checks for all employment applicants and designated volunteers. It specifies that the responsibility for these checks shifts from superintendents to chief school administrators or principals. The bill also outlines specific disqualifying offenses for employment in education and mandates the destruction of criminal history records within 60 days of receipt. Other provisions include the establishment of a Parents as Teachers Program in Sullivan County, training on child sexual abuse prevention for employees, and the requirement for transparency in school budget meetings. Overall, HB 1804-FN aims to streamline governance, enhance local control, and improve safety and accountability in New Hampshire's educational system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:1, 23:7, 28:8, 30:1, 31:105, 31:106, 32:24, 100-A:20, 101:2, 188-E:16, 189:1-a, 189:13-a, 189:39, 189:76, 193:35, 195:30, 199:1, 653:1, 655:10, 661:9, 194-C:2
HB1804 text: 24:1, 23:7, 28:8, 30:1, 31:105, 31:106, 32:24, 100-A:20, 101:2, 188-E:16, 189:1-a, 189:13-a, 189:39, 189:76, 193:35, 195:30, 199:1, 653:1, 655:10, 661:9