HB 292 - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0652
02/06
HOUSE BILL292
AN ACTestablishing a commission to study school administrative unit consolidation.
SPONSORS:Rep. Ladd, Graf. 5
Committee:Education Policy and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill creates a commission to study the issue of school administrative unit consolidation.
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Explanation:Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0652
02/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACTestablishing a commission to study school administrative unit consolidation.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Commission on School Administrative Unit (SAU) Consolidation Established. There is established a commission to study and make recommendations related to school administrative unit consolidation in New Hampshire.
2 Findings.
I. There are 107 school administrative districts (SAUs) in the State of New Hampshire;
II. The number of SAUs in New Hampshire has doubled since the 1980s, increasing from 53 to 107 school administrative units;
III. New Hampshire’s spending per pupil for SAU general administration, excluding school building principals, is ranked the second most costly in the United States;
IV. New Hampshire’s financial costs related to education continue to rise while K-12 student population declines;
V. SAU consolidation may produce cost advantages through the provision of shared services (e.g., transportation, information technology, security, special education services, accounting and food preparation) and greater economies-of-scale in the purchase of material.
3 Membership and Compensation.
I. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one from each caucus;
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, one from each caucus;
(c) Two members from the department of education, appointed by the commissioner of education;
(d) Two superintendents, appointed by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association;
(e) One teacher appointed by NEA-NH;
(f) Two members appointed by the NH School Boards Association;
(g) The director of the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators or designee;
(h) One public school principal appointed by the NH School Principals Association;
(i) One parent or guardian of a public school student, appointed by the governor;
(j) One director of a career technical education center, appointed by the commissioner of education;
(k) The chair of the state board of education, or designee;
(l) Two members appointed by the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officers; and
(m) One member appointed by the NH Charter School Association.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
III. The commission shall be administratively attached to the department of education. Staff support and technical assistance when requested by the chairperson shall be made available from the department.
4 Duties. The commission shall study the issue of school administrative unit consolidation and submit a proposed consolidation plan and report of findings. Such duties shall include the following:
I. Examine existing research and findings related to consolidation of school districts;
II. Study and identify findings related to financial feasibility and efficiencies of scale that consolidation may or may not achieve;
III. Identify implementation challenges in NH associated with SAU consolidation;
IV. Examine and identify incentives that may be used to encourage SAU consolidation or reorganization;
V. Solicit input from stakeholders to identify community perspectives regarding strengths and weaknesses associated with SAU consolidation; and
VI. Propose a SAU consolidation plan that promotes administrative and operational efficiencies and provides benefits to member school districts while ensuring that a reorganized SAU offers member school districts efficient and sustainable administration and support services while strengthening student learning opportunities.
5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the commissioner of education. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section. Ten members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
6 Report. The commission shall submit a proposed consolidation plan and report of findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.