Concord|News|
What's In New Hampshire's New Minimum Public School Standards
After a two-year process, lawmakers approved a broad package of state rules last week governing how public schools should operate.

The New Hampshire Bulletin, the Granite State's newest independent, nonprofit new organization, delivers accountability reporting on New Hampshire politics and policies. The New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.
After a two-year process, lawmakers approved a broad package of state rules last week governing how public schools should operate.

Bob Lynn, a Windham Republican, filed legislation to include absentee voters in the law, while Concord Democrat Connie Lane seeks to repeal.
Advocates and residents had raised concerns that the proposed regulations — which are being updated, as required, after 10 years.
The proposal would increase the minimum length by 1/16th of an inch starting July 1, 2025, which is “pursuant to federal regulations.”
Town officials must remove and discard 24 ballots cast in the 2024 election after those voters failed to return proper documentation.
The number of reported bullying incidents among New Hampshire public middle school students ticked up 12.5 percent this past school year.
Stephanie Simek warned the panel about the impact cuts could have on the agency — and the wildlife and public it serves.
Increased costs have also created pressure on state departments to raise salaries for those who do hold positions, Gov. Chris Sununu noted.
One Democrat says more data is needed to demonstrate that students taking EFAs are doing better than they would have in public schools.
Executive Council agreed to convert the toll plaza on F.E. Everett Turnpike in Bedford to all-electronic tolling.
Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte is open to wind generally but believes the offshore projects proposed in the Gulf of Maine weren’t right for NH.
School district reimbursement requests for this year totaled $50.3 million, but only $33.9 million was funded for the 2024-2025 budget.
Democrats lost 2 seats in the Senate, including minority leader Donna Soucy of Manchester, handing Republicans a veto-proof majority.
Republicans seemed poised to expand their control of the state Senate as results continued to trickle in Wednesday afternoon.
The party is expected to win 222 of the House’s 400 seats, according to a social media post by the New Hampshire House Clerk on X Wednesday.
Bedford, Hudson, Laconia Ward 3, Manchester Ward 3, Moultonborough, Rochester Ward 2, Somersworth Ward 4, Walpole will be checked Tuesday.
The incumbent Democrat defeated Republican challenger Russell Prescott, a former executive councilor and state senator.
2nd District voters chose her over Republican Lily Tang Williams, who feared the U.S. was becoming more like her native country of China.
During the call, she “discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans,” a senior aide said.
In the end, Trump’s core campaign issues of immigration and criticisms of the economy appeared to have swayed voters.