CHAPTER 71
HB 126 – FINAL VERSION
04/05/07 1006s
2007 SESSION
04/10
HOUSE BILL 126
This bill revises the definitions of standard school, elementary school, high school, and the number of days of school.
This bill is a request of the department of education.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
04/05/07 1006s
07-0397
04/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT relative to the definition of “school.”
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
71:1 Days of School; Reduction of Time. Amend RSA 189:1 and RSA 189:2 to read as follows:
189:1 Days of School. The school board of every district shall provide standard schools for at least 180 days in each year, or the equivalent number of hours if approved by the commissioner of the department of education, at such places in the district as will best serve the interests of education and give to all the pupils within the district as nearly equal advantages as are practicable.
189:2 Reduction of Time. If the school board of any district shall decide that, by reason of special conditions or circumstances, the maintenance of standard schools for 180 days, or the equivalent number of hours if approved by the commissioner of the department of education, in said district is undesirable, said school board may so represent in writing to the state board. If, upon hearing, the state board, or the commissioner when authorized by the state board, shall be of the opinion that the representation is true, it may reduce the time of maintaining such schools in said district to such limits as it may deem wise. Provided, however, that the state board, or the commissioner if authorized, shall not reduce the days during which schools shall be in session, as provided in RSA 189:1, on account of workshops, conventions or teachers’ institutes.
71:2 Standard School; Elementary School. Amend RSA 189:24 and RSA 189:25 to read as follows:
189:24 Standard School. A standard school is one approved by the state board of education, and maintained for at least 180 days in each year, or the equivalent number of hours if approved by the commissioner of the department of education, in a suitable and sanitary building, equipped with approved furniture, books, maps and other necessary appliances, taught by teachers, directed and supervised by a principal and a superintendent, each of whom shall hold valid educational credentials issued by the state board of education, with suitable provision for the care of the health and physical welfare of all pupils. A standard school shall provide instruction in all subjects prescribed by statute or by the state board of education for the grade level of pupils in attendance.
189:25 Elementary School. An elementary school is any school approved by the state board of education in which the subjects taught are those prescribed by the state board for the grades kindergarten through 8 of the public schools. However, a separate organization consisting of grades 7 through 9, or any grouping of these grades, may be recognized as a junior high school and so approved by the board. Also a separate organization consisting of grades 4 through 8 or any grouping of these grades may be recognized as a middle school and so approved by the state board. Any elementary school may include a kindergarten program which, if it is provided, shall precede the other elementary grades.
71:3 Definition of High School. Amend RSA 194:23, I to read as follows:
I. The term “high school” shall mean a public school or public academy comprising a span of grades beginning with the next grade following an approved elementary, middle or junior high school as defined by RSA 189:25 and ending with grade 12. Such a school shall:
(a) Offer those subjects prescribed by statute, including instruction in history, government, and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire and of the organization and operation of New Hampshire municipal, county, and state government;
(b) Provide such other subjects as the school district maintaining such school shall determine by its school board or by vote of the district; [and]
(c) Comply with standards prescribed by the state board of education which shall be uniform in their application to all schools; and
(d) Qualify a pupil to receive a diploma upon completion.
71:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: June 11, 2007
Effective: August 10, 2007