Once again, the NH House acted like so many of my students do, allowing work to pile up and waiting until the final hour to do the work that needs to be done.  This week, the House met for two long days, and because it had not met the prior week, faced a deadline for acting on over 100 proposed pieces of legislation.  Given how long some debates can take, never mind the time consumed in roll call votes and all kinds of maneuvering, it made for very long days.  Near the end late on Thursday, tempers began to fray and the Republican majority used their power in an increasingly aggressive manner.  When it was done, all legislation had been acted upon, and the House will not meet again for two weeks. 

NO to SB 193 and HB 647

The most controversial educational issue currently in front of the NH Legislature is that of vouchers.  This bill would have a serious impact on our public schools. SB 193, falsely labeled as “Education Freedom Savings Accounts” would establish a full-blown voucher system in NH, taking taxpayer money and placing it in individual accounts for parents to expend at any charter, private or religious school.   Money going to these savings accounts are in all practical terms are vouchers. This is taxpayer money dedicated for public education, which is funneled away from public schools and into the private sector, creating subsidies for a small portion of the population and imposing greater burdens on the majority.  Update: SB 193 has passed the Nh Senate and is now being considered before the NH House Education Committee. For resources to fight vouchers, click more.

Standarized testing season is about to begin. And as history teaches us, it is inevitable that some educators around the state (and around the country) will be accused of testing improprieties.

Here is an essential guide from LFT General Counsel Larry Samuel to guard against mistakes, errors and stress during testing season.

Statement by AFT-NH President Douglas Ley on the passing of Chief Brian Costa

The AFT-Maryland testified before the Senate Health, Education & Environmental Affairs Committee in support of the Protect Our Schools Act 2017.

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

As promised, please see the attached AFT resources for undocumented students and campus support. Again, share and use as you see fit to help our undocumented sisters and brothers.  Thank you. 

FOR AFT-NH MEMBERS

Drawing on March 22^nd for two (2) Union Members to attend the Annual AFT Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel Conference (April 27th-30th)

AFT-NH will have a drawing on March 22^nd  for two AFT-NH PSRP members (whose local is in good standing with AFT and AFT-NH) to attend the Annual AFT PSRP Conference in Detroit, Michigan.  Two names from the same local must be submitted together as a team since the drawing is based on double occupancy.  Individuals who have previously won a trip to the Conference in the past five years are ineligible to apply.  Each pair of applicants should write brief statements outlining their accomplishments as PSRPs union members and also what they hope to accomplish by attending the conference.  Attendees will report on the conference to the May 2017 AFT-NH Board of Directors meeting.

Winners will receive a trip including airfare, hotel accommodations and registration to the Annual Conference.  Reasonable expenses will also be paid.

Deadline for submission:  March 21st   

Submit team applications via fax—603-226-0133 or email at  dley@aft-nh.org

Construction on Renaissance Village, new teacher housing in Welch, began in Spring 2019. This housing initiative will provide two floors of apartments along with two floors of commercial space. The apartments are completed and are now move-in ready. We believe this project will spur and facilitate economic growth in the community. Read more.

Baltimore was out in full force for the Metro Baltimore AFL-CIO Rally in Annapolis on Monday, March 6th. The collective unions of the AFT-Maryland stood in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in labor. There were speakers representing nearly every sector of labor including two of AFT-Maryland’s own.