Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Section; School Administrative Unit Study Commission. Amend RSA 194-C by inserting after section 12 the following new section:
194-C:13 School Administrative Unit Study Commission.
I. There is established a commission to study the efficiency of existing school system structures.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the commission shall consist of the following members:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(d) A superintendent, appointed by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.
(e) A member of a local school board, appointed by the New Hampshire School Boards Association.
(f) A business office administrator, appointed by the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Review existing demographic and enrollment shifts statewide;
(b) Identify the number of school administrative units (SAUs) statewide, the cost per pupil in each SAU, and how SAUs can adjust their resource allocations to help reduce property taxes;
(c) Identify states that have consolidated or restructured their school systems;
(d) Examine impediments to consolidations and potential school closures; and
(e) Solicit testimony from any person or organization with relevant information or expertise.
V. 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 first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall report its 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.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; School Administrative Unit Study Commission. Amend RSA 194-C by inserting after section 12 the following new section:
194-C:13 School Administrative Unit Study Commission.
I. There is established a commission to study the efficiency of existing school system structures.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the commission shall consist of the following members:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(d) A superintendent, appointed by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.
(e) A member of a local school board, appointed by the New Hampshire School Boards Association.
(f) A business office administrator, appointed by the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Review existing demographic and enrollment shifts statewide;
(b) Identify the number of school administrative units (SAUs) statewide, the cost per pupil in each SAU, and how SAUs can adjust their resource allocations to help reduce property taxes;
(c) Identify states that have consolidated or restructured their school systems;
(d) Examine impediments to consolidations and potential school closures; and
(e) Solicit testimony from any person or organization with relevant information or expertise.
V. 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 first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall report its 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.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.