An Act to consent to the New Hampshire-Vermont Interstate School Compact
PL 91-21 (S.278), enacted 06/03/1969

14 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
June 3,1969 
[S. 278] 
New Hampshire-
Vermont Intel-
state School 
Compact. 
Public Law 91-21 
AN ACT 
To consent to the New Hampshire-Vermont Interstate School Compact. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That the Congress 
consents to the New Hampshire-Vermont Interstate School Compact 
which is substantially as follows: 
"NEW HAMPSHIKE-VEEMONT INTERSTATE SCHOOL 
COMPACT 
"ARTICLE I 
"GENERAL PROVISIONS 
"A. STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It is the purpose of this compact to 
increase the educational opportunities within the states of New Hamp-
shire and Vermont by encouraging the formation of interstate school 
districts which will each be a natural social and economic region with 
adequate financial resources and a number of pupils sufficient to permit 
the efficient use of school facilities within the interstate district and to 
provide improved instruction. The state boards of education of New 
Hampshire and Vermont may formulate and adopt additional stand-
ards consistent with this purpose and with these standards; and the 
formation of any interstate school district and the adoption of its 
articles of agreement shall be subject to the approval of both state 
boards as hereinafter set forth. 
"B. REQUIREMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.—This compact 
shall not become effective until approved by the United States Con-
gress. 
"C. DEFINITIONS.—The terms used in this compact shall be con-
strued as follows, unless a different meaning is clearly apparent from 
the language or context: 
"a. 'Interstate school district' and 'interstate district' shall mean a 
school district composed of one or more school districts located in the 
state of New Hampshire associated under this compact with one or 
more school districts located in the state of Vermont, and may include 
either the elementary schools, the secondary schools, or both. 
"b. 'Member school district' and 'member district' shall mean a 
school district located either in New Hampshire or Vermont which is 
included withiii the boundaries of a proposed or established interstate 
school district. In the case of districts located in Vermont, it shall 
include city school districts, town school districts, union school dis-
tricts and mcorporated school districts. Where appropriate, the term 
'member district clerk' shall refer to the clerk oi the city in which a 
Vermont school district is located, the clerk of the town in which a 
Vermont town school district is located, or the clerk of an incorporated 
school district. 
"c. 'Elementary school' shall mean a school which includes all grades 
from kindergarten or grade one through not less than grade six nor 
more than grade eight. 
"d. 'Secondary school' shall mean a school which includes all grades 
beginning no lower than grade seven and no higher than grade twelve. 
"e. 'Interstate board' ^ a l l refer to the board serving an interstate 
school district. 
"f. 'New Hampshire board' shall refer to the New Hampshire state 
board of education. 
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
15 
"g. 'Vermont board' shall refer to the Vermont state board of 
education. 
"h. 'Commissioner' shall refer to commissioner of education. 
"i. Where joint action by both state boards is required, each state 
board shall deliberate and vote by its own majority, but shall sepa-
rately reach the same result or take the same action as the 6ther state 
board. 
" j . The terms 'professional staff personnel' and 'instructional staff 
personnel' shall include superintendents, assistant superintendents, 
administrative assistants, principals, guidance counsellors, special 
education personnel, school nurses, therapists, teachers, and other cer-' 
tified personnel. 
"k. The term 'warrant' or 'warning' to mean the same for both states. 
"ARTICLE I I 
"PROCEDURE FOR FORMATION OF AN INTERSTATE SCHOOL DISTRICT 
"A. 
CREATION OF PLANNING COMMITTEE.—The New Hampshire and 
Vermont commissioners of education shall have the power, acting 
jointly to constitute and discharge one or more interstate school dis-
trict planning committees. Each such planning committee shall consist 
of at least two voters from each of a group of two or more neighbor-
ing member districts. One of the representatives from each member 
district shall be a member of its school board, whose term on the plan-
ning committee shall be concurrent with his term as a school board 
member. The term of each member of a planning committee who is not 
also a school board member shall expire on June thirtieth of the third 
year following his appointment. The existence of any planning com-
mittee may be terminated either by vote of a majority of its members 
or by joint action of the commissioners. In forming and appointing 
members to an interstate school district planning board, the commis-
sioners shall consider and take into account recommendations and 
nominations made by school boards of member districts. No member 
of a planning committee shall be disqualified because he is at the same 
time a member of another planning board or committee created under 
the provisions of this compact or under any other provisions of law. 
Any existing informal interstate school planning committee may be 
reconstituted as a formal planning committee in accordance with the 
provisions hereof, and its previous deliberations adopted and ratified 
by the reorganized formal planning committee. Vacancies on a plan-
ning committee shall be filled by the commissioners acting jointly. 
"B. OPERATING PROCEDURES OF PLANNING COMMITTEE.—Each inter-
state school district planning committee shall meet in the first instance 
at the call of any member, and shall organize by the election of a 
chairman and clerk-treasurer, each of whom shall be a resident of a 
different state. Subsequent meetings may be called by either officer of 
the committee. The members of the committee shall serve without pay. 
The member districts shall appropriate money on an equal basis at 
each annual meeting to meet the expenses of the committee, including 
the cost of publication and distribution of reports and advertising. 
From time to time the commissioners may add additional members 
and additional member districts to the committee, and may remove 
members and member districts from the committee. An interstate 
school district planning committee shall act by majority vote of its 
membership present and voting. 
"C. DUTIES OF INTERSTATE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANNING COMMIT-
TEE.—It shall be the duty of an interstate school district planning 
committee, in consultation with the commissioners and the state depart-
ments of education: to study the advisability of establishing an inter-
16 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
state school district in accordance with the standards set forth in 
paragraph A of Article I of this compact, its organization, operation 
and control, and the advisability of constructing, maintaining and 
operating a school or schools to serve the needs of such interstate 
district; to estimate the construction and operating costs thereof; to 
investigate the methods of financing such school or schools, and any 
other matters pertaining to the organization and operation of an inter-
state school district; and to submit a report or reports of its findings 
and recommendations to the several member districts. 
"D. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PREPARATION OF ARTICLES OF AGREE-
MENT.—An interstate school district planning committee may recom-
mend that an interstate school district composed of all the member 
districts represented by its membership, or any specified combination 
of such member districts, be established. If the planning committee 
does recommend the establishment of an interstate school district, it 
shall include in its report such recommendation, and shall also prepare 
and include in its report proposed articles of agreement for the pro-
posed interstate school district, which shall be signed by at least a 
majority of the membership of the planning committee, which set 
forth the following: 
"a. The name of the interstate school district. 
"b. The member districts which shall be combined to form the pro-
posed interstate school district. 
"c. The number, composition, method of selection and terms of office 
of the interstate school board, provided that: 
" (1) The interstate school board shall consist of an odd num-
ber of members, not less than five nor more than fifteen; 
"(2) The terms of office shall not exceed three years; 
"(3) Each member district shall be entitled to elect at least 
one member of the interstate school board. Each member district 
shall either vote separately at the interstate school district meet-
ing by the use of a distinctive ballot, or shall choose its member 
or members at any other election at which school officials may be 
chosen; 
" (4) The method of election shall provide for the filing of can-
didacies in advance of election and for the use of a printed non-
partisan ballot; 
"(5) Subject to the foregoing, provision may be made for the 
election of one or more members at large, 
"d. The grades for which the interstate school district shall be 
responsible. 
"e. The specific properties of member districts to be acquired initially 
by the interstate school district and the general location of any pro-
posed new schools to be initially established or constructed by the 
interstate school district. 
"f. The method of apportioning the operating expenses of the inter-
state school district among the several member districts, and the time 
and manner of payments of such shares. 
"g. The indebtedness of any member district which the interstate 
district is to assume. 
"h. The method of apportioning the capital expenses of the inter-
state school district among the several member districts, which need 
not be the same as the method of apportioning operating expenses, 
and the time and manner of payment of such shares. Capital expenses 
shall include the cost of acquiring land and buildings for school pur-
poses; the construction, furnishing and equipping of school buildings 
and facilities; and the payment of the principal and interest of any 
indebtedness which is incurred to pay for the same. 
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
17 
"i. Tlie niimner in Avliich state aid, available under the laws of either 
New Hampshire or Vermont, shall be allocated, unless otherwise 
expressly provided in this compact or by the laws making such aid 
available. 
" j . The method by which the articles of agreement may be amended, 
which amendments may include the annexation of territory, or an 
increase or decrease in the number of grades for which the interstate 
district shall be responsible, provided that no amendment shall be 
effective until approved by both state boards in the same manner as 
required for approval of the original articles of agreement. 
"k. The date of operating responsibility of the proposed interstate 
school district and a proposed program tor the assumption of oper-
ating responsibility for education by the proposed interstate school 
district, and any school construction; which the interstate school dis-
trict shall have the power to vary by vote as circumstances may require. 
"1. Any other matters, not incompatible with law, which the inter-
state school district planning committee may consider appropriate to 
include in the articles of agreement, including, without limitation: 
"(1) The method of allocating the cost of transportation 
between the intei-state district and member districts; 
"(2) The nomination of individual school directors to serve 
until the first annual meeting of the interstate school district. 
"E. HEARINGS.—If the planning committee recommends the forma-
tion of an interstate school district, it shall hold at least one public 
hearing on its report and the proposed articles of agreement within 
the proposed interstate school district in New Hampshire, and at least 
one public hearing thereon within the proposed interstate school dis-
trict in Vermont. The planning committee shall give such notice 
thereof as it may determine to be reasonable, provided that such notice 
shall include at least one publication in a newspaper of general circu-
lation within the proposed interstate school district not less than fif-
teen days (not counting the date of publication and not counting the 
date of the hearing) before the date of the first hearing. Such hearings 
may be adjourned from time to time and from place to place. The 
planning committee may revise the proposed articles of agreement 
after the date of the hearings. It shall not be required to hold further 
hearings on the revised articles of agreement but may hold one or 
more further hearings after notice siinilar to that required for the first 
hearings if the planning committee in its sole discretion determines 
that the revisions are so substantial in nature as to require further 
presentation to the public before submission to the state boards of 
education. 
"F. APPROVAL BY STATE BOARDS.—After the hearings a copy of the 
proposed articles of agreement, as revised, signed by a majority of the 
planning committee, shall be submitted by it to each state board. The 
state boards may (a) if they find that the articles of agreement are in 
accord with the standards set forth in this compact and in accordance 
with sound educational policy, approve the same as submitted, or 
(b) refer them back to the planning committee for further study. The 
planning committee may make additional revisions to the proposed 
articles of agreement to conform to the recommendations of the state 
boards. Further hearings on the proposed articles of agreement shall 
not be required unless ordered by the state boards in their discretion. 
In exercising such discretion, the state boards shall take into account 
whether or not the additional revisions are so substantial in nature as 
to require further presentation to the public. If both state boards find 
that the articles of agreement as further revised are in accord with 
18 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
the standrtrds set foi-th in this compact and in accordance with sound 
educational policy, they shall approve the same. After approval by 
both state boards, each state board shall cause the articles of agreement 
to be submitted to the school boards of the several member districts in 
each state for acceptance by the member districts as provided in the 
following paragraph. At the same time, each state board shall desig-
nate the form of warrant, date, time, place, and period of voting for 
the special meeting of the mwaaber district to be held in accordance 
with the following paragraph. 
"G. 
ADOPI^ION BY MEMBER DISTRICTS.—Upon receipt of written 
notice from the state board in its state of the approval of the articles 
of agreement by both state boards^ the school board of each member 
district shall cause the articles of agreement to be filed with the mem-
ber district clerk. Within ten days after receipt of such notice, the 
school board shall issue its warrant for a special meeting of the mem-
ber district, the warrant to be in the form, and the meeting to be held 
at the time and place and in the manner prescribed by the state board. 
No approval of the superior court shall be required for such special 
school district meeting in New Hampshire. Voting shall be with the 
use of the check list by a ballot substantially in the following form: 
" 'Shall the school district accept the provisions of the New 
Hampshire-Vermont Interstate School Compact providing for 
the establishment of an interstate school district, together with 
the school districts of 
and 
, etc., in 
accordance with the provisions of the proposed articles of agree-
ment filed with the school district (town, city or incorporated 
school district) clerk? 
"'Yes (D) 
No ( D ) ' 
"If the articles of agreement included the nomination of individual 
school directors, those nominated from each member district shall be 
included in the ballot and voted upon, such election to become effective 
upon the formation of an interstate school district. 
"If a majority of the voters present and voting in a member district 
vote in the affirmative, the clerk for such member district shall forth-
with send to the state board in its state a certified copy of the warrant, 
certificate of posting, and minutes of the meeting of the district. If 
the state boards of both states find that a majority of the voters present 
and voting in each member district have voted in favor of the establish-
ment of the interstate school district, they shall issue a joint certificate 
to that effect; and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the 
lawful organization and formation of the interstate school district as 
of its date of issuance. 
"H. RESUBMISSION.—If the proposed articles of agreement are 
adopted by one or more of the member districts but rejected by one 
or more of the member districts, the state boards may resubmit them, 
in the same foim as previously submitted, to the rejecting member dis-
tricts, in which case the school boards thereof shall resubmit them to 
the voters in accordance with paragraph G of this article. An affirma-
tive vote in accordance therewith shall have the same effect as though 
the articles of agreement had been adopted in the first instance. In 
the alternative, the state boards may either (a) discharge the planning 
committee, or (b) refer the articles of agreement back for further 
consideration to the same or a reconstituted planning committee, which 
shall have all of the powers and duties as the planning committee as 
originally constituted. 
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
19 
"ARTICLE I I I 
"POWERS OF INTERSTATE SCH(X»L DISTRICTS 
"A. POWERS.—Each interstate school district shall be a body cor-
porate and politic, with power to: 
"a. To acquire, construct, extend, improve, stall', operate, manage 
and govern public schools within its boundaries; 
"b. To sue and be sued, subject to the limitations of liability here-
inafter set forth; 
"c. To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure; 
"d. To adopt, maintain and amend bylaws not inconsistent with this 
compact, and the laws of the two states; 
"e. To acquire by purchase, condemnation, lease or otherwise, real 
and personal property for the use of its schools; 
"f. To enter into contracts and incur debts; 
"g. To borrow money for the purposes hereinafter set forth, and to 
issue its bonds or notes therefor; 
"h. To make contracts with and accept grants and aid from the 
United States, the state of New Hampshire, the state of Vermont, any 
agency or municipality thereof, and private corporations and individ-
uals for the construction, maintenance, reconstruction, operation and 
financing of its schools; and to do any and all things necessary in 
order to avail itself of such aid and cooperation; 
"i. To employ such assistants, agents, servants, and independent 
contractors as it sliall deem necessary or desirable for its purposes; 
and 
" j . To take any other action which is necessary or appropriate in 
order to exercise any of the foregoing powers. 
"ARTICLE IV 
"DISTRICT MEETIN GS 
"A. (TENERAL.—Votes of the district shall be taken at a duly warned 
meeting held at any place in the district, at which all of the eligible 
legal voters of the member districts shall be entitled to vote, except 
as otherwise provided with respect to the election of directors. 
"B. ELIGIBILITY or VOTERS.—Any resident who would be eligible 
to vote at a meeting of a member district being held at the same time, 
shall be eligible to vote at a meeting of the interstate district. The 
l)oard of civil authority in each Vermont member district and the 
supervisors of the check list of each New Hampshire district shall 
respectively prepare a check list of eligible voters for each meeting of 
the interstate district in the same manner, and they shall have all the 
same powers and duties with respect to eligibility of voters in their 
districts as for a meeting of a memoer district. 
"C. WARNING OF MEETINGS.—A meeting shall be warned by a 
warrant addressed to the residents of the interstate school district 
qualified to vote in district affairs, stating the time and place of the 
meeting and the subject matter of the business to be acted upon. The 
warrant shall be signed by the clerk and by a majority of the directors. 
Upon written application of ten or more voters in the district, pre-
sented to the directors or to one of them, at least twenty-five days before 
the day prescribed for an annual meeting, the directors shall insert 
in their warrant for such meeting any subject matter specified in such 
application. 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
"D. POSTING AND PUBLICATION OF WARRANT.—The directors shall 
cause an attested copy of the warrant to be posted at the place of meet-
ing, and a like copy at a public place in each member district at least 
twenty days (not counting the date of posting and the date of meeting) 
before the date of the meeting. In addition, the directors shall cause 
the warrant to be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation on 
at least one occasion, such publication to occur at least t&n days (not 
counting the date of publication and not counting the date of the 
meeting) before the date of the meeting. Although no further notice 
shall be required, the directors may give such further notice of the 
meeting as they in their discretion deem appropriaite under the 
circumstances. 
"E. RETURN or WARRANT.—The warrant with a certificate thereon, 
verified by oath, stating the time and place when and where copies of 
the warrant were posited and published, shall be given to the clerk of 
the interstate school district at or before the time of the meeting, and 
shall be recorded by him in the records of the interstate school district. 
"F. ORGANIZATION MEETING.—The commissioners, acting jointly, 
shall fix a time and place for a special meeting of the qualified voters 
within the interstate school district for the purpose of organization, 
and shall prepare and issue the warrant for the meeting after consulta-
tion with the interstate school district planning board and the mem-
bers-elect, if any, of the interstate school board of directors. Such 
meeting shall be lield within sixty days after the date of issuance of the 
certificate of formation, unless the time is further extended by the joint 
action of the state boards. At the organization meeting the commis-
sioner of education of the state where the meeting is held, or his desig-
nate, shall preside in the first instance, and the following business shall 
be transacted: 
"a. A temporary moderator and temporary clerk shall be elected 
from among the qualified voters who shall serve until a moderator and 
clerk respectively have been elected and qualified. 
"b. A moderator, a clerk, a treasurer, and three auditors shall be 
elected to serve until the next annual meeting aiid thereafter until their 
successors are elected and qualified. Unless previously elected, a board 
of school directors shall be elected to serve until their successors are 
elected and qualified. 
"c. The date for the annual meeting shall be established. 
"d. Provision shall be made for the payment of any organizational 
or other expense incurred on behalf of the district before the organi-
zation meeting, including the cost of architects, surveyors, contractors, 
attorneys, and educational or other consultants or experts. 
"e. Any other business, the subject matter of which has been included 
in the warrant, and which the voters would have had power to transact 
at an annual meeting. 
"G. ANNUAL MEETINGS.—An annual meeting of the district shall be 
held between January fifteenth and June first of each year at such time 
as the interstate district may by vote determine. Once determined, the 
date of the annual meeting shall remain fixed until changed by vote 
of the interstate district at a subsequent annual or special meeting. At 
each annual meeting the following business shall be transacted: 
"a. Necessary officers shall be elected. 
"b. Money shall be appropriated for the support of the interstate 
district schools for the fiscal year beginning the following July first. 
"c. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting. 
"H. SPECIAL MEETINGS.—A special meeting of the district shall be 
held whenever, in the opinion of the directors, there is occasion there-
for, or whenever written application shall have been made by five per 
cent or more of the voters (based on the check lists as prepared for 
83 STAT. J 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
21 
the last preceding meeting) setting forth tJie subject matter upon 
AA^hich such action is desired. A special meeting may appropriate money 
without compliance with KSA 33:8 or RSA 197:3 which would other-
wise require the approval of the New Hampshire superior court. 
"I. CERTIFICATION OF RECORDS.—The clerk of an interstate school 
district shall have the power to certify the record of the votes adopted 
at an interstate school district meeting to the respective commissioners 
and state boards and (where required) for filing with a secretary of 
state. 
"J. METHOD OF VOTING AT ScHtx)L DISTOICT MEETINGS.—Voting at 
meetings of interstate school districts shall take place as follows: 
"a. SCHOOL DIRECTORS.—A separate ballot shall be prepared for each 
member district, listing the candidates for interstate school director to 
represent such member district; and any candidates for interstate 
school director at large; and the voters of each member district shall 
register on a separate ballot their choice for the office of school director 
or directors. In the alternative, the articles of agreement may provide 
for the election of school directors by one or more of the member dis-
tricts at an election otherwise held for the choice of school or other 
municipal officers. 
"b. OTHER VOTES.—Except as otherwise provided in the articles of 
agreement or this compact, with respect to all other vot^s (1) the 
voters of the interstate school district shall vote as one body irrespec-
tive of the member districts in which they are resident, and (2) a sim-
ple majority of those present and voting at any duly warned meeting 
shall carry the vote. Voting for officers to be elected at any meeting, 
other than school directors, shall be by ballot or voice, as the interstate 
district may determine, either in its articles of agreement or by a vote 
of the meeting. 
"ARTICLE V 
"OFFICERS 
"A. OFFICERS : GENERAL.—The officers of an interstate school dis-
trict shall be a board of school directors, a chairman of the board, a 
vice-chairman of the boaixi, a secretary of the board, a moderator, a 
clerk, a treasurer and three auditors. Except as otherwise specifically 
provided, they shall be eligible to take office immediately following 
their election; they shall serve until the next annual meeting of the 
interstate district and until their successors are elected and qualified. 
Each shall take oath for the faithful performance of his duties before 
the moderator, or a notary public or a justice of the peace of the state 
in which the oath is administered. Their compensation shall be fixed 
by vote of the district. No person shall be eligible to any district office 
unless he is a voter in the district. A custodian, school teacher, prin-
cipal, superintendent or other employee of an interstate district acting 
as such shall not be eligible to hold office as a school dii*ector. 
"B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.— 
"a. How CHOSEN.—Each member district shall be represented by at 
least one resident on the board of school directors of an interstate school 
district. A member district shall be entitled to such further representa-
tion on the interstate board of school directors as provided in the 
articles of agreement as amended from time to time. The articles of 
agreement as amended from time to time may provide for school 
directors at large, as above set forth. No person shall be disqualified to 
serve as a member of an interstate board because he is at the same time 
a member of the school board of a member district. 
"b. TERM.—Interstate school directors shall be elected for terms in 
accordance with the articles of agreement. 
22 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
"c. DUTIES OF BOARD or DIRECTORS.—The board of school directors 
of an interstate school district shall have and exercise all of the powers 
of the district not reserved herein to the voters of the district. 
"d. ORGANIZATION.—The clerk of the district shall warn a meeting 
of the board of school directors to be held within ten days following 
the date of the annual meeting, for the purpose of organizing the 
boards including the election of its officers. 
"C. CHAIRMAN or THE BOARD.—The chairman of the board of inter-
state school directors shall be elected by the interstate board from 
among its members at its first meeting following the annual meeting. 
The chairman shall preside at the meetings of the board and shall 
perform such other duties as the board may assign to him. 
"D. VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The vice-chair-
man of the interstate board shall be elected in the same manner as the 
chairman. He shall represent a member district in a state other than 
that represented by the chairman. He shall preside in the absence of 
the chairman and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned 
to him by the interstate board. 
"E. SECRETARY OF THE BOARD.—The Secretary of the interstate 
board shall be elected in the same manner as the chairman. Instead of 
electing one of its members, the interstate board may appoint the inter-
state district clerk to serve as secretary of the board in addition to his 
other duties. The secretary of the interstate board (or the interstate 
district clerk, if so appointed) shall keep the minutes of its meetings, 
shall certify its records, and perform such other duties as may be 
assigned to him by the board. 
"F. MODERATOR.—The moderator shall preside at the district meet-
ings, regulate the business thereof, decide questions of order, and make 
a public declaration of every vote passed. He may prescribe rules of 
procedure; but such rules may be altered by the district. He may 
administer oaths to district officers in either state. 
"G. CLERK.—The clerk shall keep a true record of all proceedings 
at each district meeting, shall certify its records, shall make an attested 
copy of any records of the district for any person upon request and 
tender of reasonable fees therefor, if so appointed, shall serve as secre-
tary of the board of school directors, and shall perform such other 
duties as may be required by custom or law. 
"H. TREASURER.—The treasurer shall have custody of all of the 
monies belonging to the district and shall pay out the same only upon 
the order of the interstate board. He shall keep a fair and accurate 
account of all sums received into and paid from the interstate district 
treasury, and at the close of each fiscal year he shall make a report to 
the interstate district, giving a particular account of all receipts and 
payments during the year. He shall furnish to the interstate directors, 
statements from his books and submit his books and vouchers to them 
and to tlie district auditors for examination whenever so requested. 
He shall make all returns called for by laws relating to school districts. 
Before entering on his duties, the treasurer shall give a bond with 
sufficient sureties and in such sum as the directors may require. The 
treasurer's term of office is from July 1 to the following June 30. 
"I. AUDITORS.—At the organization meeting of the district, three 
auditors shall be chosen, one to serve for a term of one year, one to 
serve for a term of two years, and one to serve for a term of three years. 
After the expiration of each original term, the successor shall be chosen 
for a three year term. At least one auditor shall be a resident of New 
Hampshire, and one auditor shall be a resident of Vermont. An inter-
state district may vote to employ a certified public accountant to assist 
the auditors in the performance of their duties. The auditors shall care-
fully examine the accounts of the treasurer and the directors at the 
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
23 
close of each fiscal year, and at such other times whenever necessary, 
and report to the district whether the same are correctly cast and 
properly vouched. 
"J. SUPERINTENDENT.—The superintendent of schools shall be 
selected by a majority vote of the board of school directors of the 
interstate district with the approval of both commissioners. 
"K. VACANCIES.—Any vacancy among the elected officers of the 
district shall be filled by the interstate board until the next annual 
meeting of the district or other election, when a successor shall be 
elected to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term, if any. Until 
all vacancies on the interstate board are filled, the remaining members 
shall have full power to act. 
"ARTICLE VI 
"APPROPRIATION AND APPORTIONMENT or FUNDS 
"A. BUDGET.—Before each annual meeting, the interstate board 
shall prepare a report of expenditures for the preceding fiscal year, an 
estimate of expenditures for the current fiscal year, and a budget for 
the succeeding fiscal year. 
"B. APPROPRIATION.—The interstate board of directors shall present 
the budget report of the annual meeting. The interstate district shall 
appropriate a sum of money for the support of its schools and for the 
discharge of its obligations for the ensumg fiscal year. 
"C. APPORTIONMENT OF APPROPRIATION.—Subject to the provisions 
of article VII hereof, the interstate board shall first apply against such 
appropriation any income to which the interstate district is entitled, 
and shall then apportion the balance among the member districts in 
accordance with one of the following formulas as determined by the 
articles of agreement as amended from time to time: 
"a. All of such balance to be apportioned on the basis of the ratio 
that the fair market value of the taxable property in each member 
district bears to that of the entire interstate district; or 
"b. All of such balance to be apportioned on the basis that the 
average daily resident membership for the preceding fiscal year of 
each member district bears to that of the average daily resident mem-
bership of the entire interstate school district; or 
"c. A formula based on any combination of the foregoing factors. 
The term 'fair market value of taxable property' shall mean the 
last locally assessed valuation of a member district in New Hampshire, 
as last equalized by the New Hampshire state tax commission. 
"The term 'fair market value of taxable property' shall mean the 
equalized grand list of a Vermont member district, as determined by 
the Vermont department of taxes. 
"Such assessed valuation and grand list may be further adjusted 
(by elimination of certain types of taxable property from one or the 
other or otherwise) in accordance with the articles of agreement, in 
order that the fair market value of taxable property in each state shall 
be comparable. 
" 'Average daily resident membership' of the interstate district in 
the first instance shall be the sum of the average daily resident mem-
bership of the member districts in the grades involved for the preced-
ing fiscal year where no students were enrolled in the interstate dis-
trict schools for such preceding fiscal year. 
"D. SHARE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE MEMBER DISTRICT.—The interstate 
board shall certify the share of a New Hampshire member district of 
the total appropriation to the school board of each member district 
which shall add such sum to the amount appropriated by the member 
district itself for the ensuing year and raise such sum in the same man-
24 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
ner as though the appropriation had been voted at a school district 
meeting of the member district. The interstate district shall not set up 
its own capital reserve funds; but a New Hampshire member district 
may set up a capital reserve fund in accordance with RSA 35, to be 
turned over to the interstate district in payment of the New Hampshire 
member district's share of any anticipated obligations. 
"E. SHARE OF VERMONT MEMBER DISTRICT.—The interstate board 
shall certify the share of a Vermont member district of the total appro-
priation to the school board of each member district which shall add 
sum to the amount appropriated by the member district itself for the 
ensuing year and raise such sum in the same manner as though the 
appropriation had been voted at a school district meeting of the 
member district. 
"ARTICLE 
VII 
(( 
BORROWING 
"A. INTERSTATE DISTRICT INDEBTEDNESS.—Indebtedness of an inter-
state district shall be a general obligation of the district and shall also 
be a joint and several general obligation of each member district, except 
that such obligations of the district and its member districts shall not 
be deemed indebtedness of any member district for the purposes of 
determining its borrowing capacity under New Hampshire or Ver-
mont law. A member district which withdraws from an interstate 
district shall remain liable for indebtedness of the interstate district 
which is outstanding at the time of withdrawal and shall be responsible 
for paying its share of such indebtedness to the same extent as though 
it had not oeen withdrawn. 
"B. TEMPORARY BORROWING.—The interstate board may authorize 
the borrowing of money by the interstate district (1) in anticipation 
of payments of operating and capital expenses by the member dis-
tricts to the interstate districts and (2) in anticipation of the issue of 
bonds or notes of the interstate district which have been authorized 
for the purpose of financing capital projects. Such temporary borrow-
ing shall be evidenced by interest bearing or discounted notes of the 
interstate district. The amount of notes issued in any fiscal year in 
anticipation of expense payments shall not exceed the amount of such 
payments received by the interstate district in the preceding fiscal 
year. Notes issued under this paragraph shall be payable within one 
year in the case of notes under clause (1) and three years in the case of 
notes under clause (2) from their respective dates, but the principal 
of and interest on notes issued for a shorter period may be renewed or 
paid from time to time by the issue of other notes, provided that the 
period from the date of an original note to the maturity of an;^ note 
issued to renew or pay the same debt shall not exceed the maximum 
period permitted for the original loan. 
"C. BORROWING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.—An interstate district may 
incur debt and issue its bonds or notes to finance capital projects. Such 
projects may consist of the acquisition or improvement of land and 
buildings for school purposes, the construction, reconstruction, altera-
tion, or enlargement of school buildings and related school facilities, 
the acquisition of equipment of a lasting character and the payment 
of judgments. No interstate district may authorize indebtedness in 
excess of ten percent of the total fair market value of taxable property 
in its member districts as defined in article VI of this compact. The 
primary obligation of the interstate district to pay indebtedness of 
member districts shall not be considered indebtedness of the interstate 
district for the purpose of determining its borrowing capacity under 
this paragraph. Bonds or notes issued under this paragraph shall 
mature in equal or diminishing installments of principal payable at 
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
25 
least annually commencing- no later than two years and ending not 
later than thirty years after their dates. 
"D. AUTHORIZATION PROCEEDINGS.—An interstate district shall 
authorize the incurring of debts to finance capital projects by a major-
ity vote of the district passed at an annual or special district meeting. 
Such vote shall be taken by secret ballot after full opportunity for 
debate, and any such vote shall be subject to reconsideration and fur-
ther action by the district at the same meeting or at an adjourned 
session thereof. 
"E. SALE OF BONDS AND NOTES.—Bonds and notes which have been 
authorized under this article may be issued from time to time and 
shall be sold at not less than par and accrued interest at public or pri-
vate sale by the chairman of the school board and by the treasurer. 
Interstate district bonds and notes shall be signed by the said officers, 
except that either one of the two required signatures may be a fac-
simile. Subject to this compact and the authorizing vote, they shall be 
in such form, bear such rates of interest and mature at such times as the 
said officers may determine. Bonds shall, but notes need not, bear the 
seal of the interstate district, or a facsimile of such seal. Any bonds 
or notes of the interstate district which are properly executed by the 
said officers shall be valid and binding according to their terms not-
withstanding that before the delivery thereof such officers may have 
ceased to be officers of the interstate district. 
"F. PROCEEDS or BONDS.—Any accrued interest received upon deliv-
ery of bonds or notes of an interstate district shall be applied to the 
payment of the first interest which becomes due thereon. The other 
proceeds of the sale of such bonds or notes, other than temporary notes, 
mcluding any premiums, may be temporarily invested by the interstate 
district pending their expenditure; and such proceeds, including any 
income derived from the temporary investment of such proceeds, shall 
be used to pay the costs of issuing and marketing the bonds or notes 
and to meet the operating expenses or capital expenses in accordance 
with the purposes for which the bonds or notes were issued or, by 
proceedings taken in the manner required for the authorization of 
such debt, for other purposes for which such debt could be incurred. 
No purchaser of any bonds or notes of an interstate district shall be 
responsible in any way to see to the application of the proceeds thereof. 
"G. STATE AID PROGRAMS.—As used in this paragraph the term 
'initial aid' shall include New Hampshire and Vermont 
financial 
assistance with respect to a capital project, or the means of financing a 
capital project, which is available in connection with construction costs 
of a capital project or which is available at the time indebtedness is 
incurred to finance the project. Without limiting the generality of the 
foregoing definition, initial aid shall specifically include a New Hamp-
shire state guarantee under RSA 195-B with respect to bonds or notes 
and Vermont consfruction aid under chapter 128 of 16 V.S.A. As used 
in this paragraph the term 'long-term aid' shall include New Hamp-
shire and Vermont financial assistance which is payable periodically 
in relation to capital costs incurred by an interstate district. Without 
limiting the generalitv of the foregoing definition, long-term aid shall 
specifically include New Hampshire school building aid under RSA 
198 and Vermont school building aid under chapter 128 of Title 16 
y.S.A. For the purpose of applying for, receiving and expending 
initial aid and long-term aid an interstate district shall be deemed a 
native school district by each state, subject to the following provisions. 
When an interstate district has appropriated money for a capital 
project, the amount appropriated shall be divided into a New Hamp-
shire share and a Vermont share in accordance with the capital expense 
apportionment formula in the articles of agreement as though the 
total amount appropriated for the project was a capital expense requir-
26 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
iii^ app(3itioiiineiit in tlie year the appropriation is made. New Hamp-
shire initial aid shall be available with respect to the amount of the 
New Hampshire share as though it were authorized indebtedness of a 
New Hampshire cooperative school district. In the case of a state 
guarantee of interstate districts bonds or notes under RSA 195-B, the 
interstate district shall be eligible to apply for and receive an uncondi-
tional state guarantee with respect to an amount of its bonds or notes 
which does not exceed tifty per cent of the amount of the New Hamp-
shire share as determined above. Vermont initial aid shall be available 
with respect to the amount of the Vermont share as though it were 
funds voted by a Vennont school district. Payments of Vermont initial 
aid shall be made to the interstate district, and the amount of any 
borrowing authorized to meet the appropriation for the capital project 
shall be reduced accordingly. New Hampshire and Vermont long-term 
aid shall be payable to the interstate district. The amounts of long-
term aid in each year shall be based on the New Hampshire and Ver-
mont shares of the amount of indebtedness of the interstate district 
which is payable in that year and w^hich has been apportioned in 
accordance with the capital expense apportionment formula in the 
articles of agreement. The New Hampshire aid shall be payable at the 
rate of forty-five per cent, if there are three or less New Hampshire 
members in the interstate district, and otherw^ise it shall be payable as 
though the New Hampshire members were a New Hampshire coopera-
tive school district. New Hampshire and Vermont long-term aid shall 
be deducted from the total capital expenses for the fiscal year in which 
the long-term aid is payable, and the balance of such expenses shall be 
apportioned among the member districts. Notwithstanding the fore-
going provisions, New^ Hampshire and Vei-mont may at any time 
change their state school aid pi-ograms that are in existence when this 
compact takes effect and may establish new programs, and any legisla-
tion for these purposes may specify how such programs shall be 
applied with respect to interstate districts. 
"H. TAX EXEMPI'ION.—Bonds and notes of aii intei'state school dis-
trict shall be exempt from local property taxes in both states, and the 
interest or discount thereon and any profit derived from the disposi-
tion thereof shall be exempt from personal income taxes in both 
states. 
"ARTICLE V I I I 
"TAKINU OVER OF EXISTIN(} PROPERTY 
"A. POWER TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY OF MEMBER DISTRICT.—The ar-
ticles of agreement, or an amendment thereof, may provide for the 
acquisition by an interstate district from a member district of all or a 
part of its existing plant and equipment. 
"B. VALUATION.—The articles of agreement, or the amendment, 
shall provide for the determination of the value of the property to be 
acquired in one or more of the following ways: 
a. A valuation set forth in the articles of agreement or the 
amendment. 
"b. By appraisal, in which case, one appraiser shall be appointed 
by each commissioner, and a third appraiser appointed by the first 
two appraisers. 
"C. REIMBURSEMENT TO MEMBER DISTRICT.—The articles of agree-
ment shall specify the method by which the member district shall be 
reimbursed by the interstate district for the property taken over, in 
one or more of the following ways: 
"a. By one lump sum, appropriated, allocated, and raised by the 
interstate district in tlie same manner' as an a])propriation for operat-
ing expenses. 
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
27 
"b. In installments over a period of not more than twenty years, 
each of which is appropriated, allocated, and raised by the interstate 
district in the same manner as an appropriation for operating expenses. 
"c. By an agreement to assume or reimburse the member district for 
all principal and interest on any outstanding indebtedness originally 
incurred by the member district to finance the acquisition and improve-
ment of the property, each such installment to be appropriated, allo-
cated, and raised by the interstate district in the same manner as an 
appropriation for operating expenses. 
"The member district transferring the property shall have the same 
obligation to pay to the interstate district its share of the cost of such 
acquisition, but may offset its right to reimbursement. 
"ARTICLE I X 
"AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT 
"A. Amendments to the articles of agreement may be adopted in 
the same manner provided for the adoption of the original articles of 
agreement, except that: 
"a. Unless the amendment calls for the addition of a new member 
district, the functions of the planning committee shall be carried out 
by the imterstait© district board of directors. 
"b. If the amendment proposes the addition of a new member dis-
trict, the planning committee shall consist of all of the members of the 
interstate board and all of the members of the school board of the pro-
posed new member district or districts. In such case the amendment 
shall he submitted to the voters at an interstate district meeting, at 
which an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those present and voting 
shall be required. The articles of agreement together with the pro-
posed amendment shall be submitted to the voters of the proposed new 
member district at a meeting thereof, at which a simple majority of 
those present and voting shall be required. 
"c. In all cases an amendment may be adopted on the part of an 
interstate district upon the affirmative vote of voters thereof at a 
meeting voting as one body. Except where the amendment proposes 
the admission of a new member district, a simple majority of those 
present and voting shall be required for adoption. 
"d. No amendment to the articles of agreement may impair the 
rights of bond or note holders or the power of the interstate district 
to procure the means for their payment. 
"ARTICLE X 
"APPLICABILITY or NEW HAMPSHIRE LAWS 
"A. GENERAL SCHOOL LAWS.—With respect to the operation and 
maintenance of any school of the district located in New Hampshire, 
the provisions of New Hampshire law shall apply except as otherwise 
provided in this compact and except that the powers and duties of the 
school board shall be exercised and discharged by the interstate board 
and the powers and duties of the union superintendent shall be exer-
cised and discharged by the interstate district superintendent. 
"B. NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE AID.—A New Hampshire school district 
shall be entitled to receive an amount of state aid for operating expen-
ditures as though its share of the interstate district's expenses were the 
expenses of the New Hampshire member district, and as though the 
New Hampshire member district pupils attending the interstate school 
were attending a New Hampshire cooperative school district's school. 
28 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
The state aid shall be paid to the New Hampshire member school dis-
trict to reduce the sums which would otherwise be required to be raised' 
by taxation within the member district. 
"C. CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE MEMBER SCHOOL 
DISTRICT.—A New Hampshire member school district shall continue 
in existence, and shall have all of the powers and be subject to all of 
the obligations imposed by law and not herein delegated to the inter-
state district. If the interstate district incorporates only a part of the 
schools in the member school district, then the school board of the 
member school district shall continue in existence and it shall have 
all of the powers and be subject to all of the obligations imposed by 
law on it and not herein delegated to the district. However, if all of 
the schools, in the member sdiool district are incorporated into the 
interstate school district, then the member or members of the inter-
state board representing the member district shall have all of the 
powers and be subject to all of the obligations imposed by law on the 
members of a school board for the member district and not herein 
delegated to the interstate district. The New Hampshire member school 
district shall remain liable on its existing indebtedness; and the inter-
state school district shall not become liable therefor, unless the 
indebtedness is specifically assumed in accordance with the articles of 
agreement. Any trust funds or capital reserve funds and any property 
not taken over by the interstate district shall be retained b j the New 
Hampshire member district and held or disposed of according to law. 
If all of the schools in a member district are incorporated into an 
interstate district, then no annual meeting of the member district 
shall be required unless the members of the interstate board from the 
member district shall determine that there is occasion for such an 
annual meeting. 
"D. SUIT AND SERVICE OF PROCESS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.—The courts 
of New Hampshire shall have the same jurisdiction over the district 
ns though a New Hampshire member district were a party instead of 
the interstate district. The service necessary to institute suit in New 
Hampshire shall be made on the district by leaving a copy of the writ 
or other proceedings in hand or at the last and usual place of abode 
of one of the directors who reside in New Hampshire, and by mailing 
a like copy to the clerk and to one other director by certified mail with 
return receipt requested. 
"E. EMPLOYMENT.—Each employee of an interstate district as-
signed to a school located in New Hampshire shall be considered an 
employee of a New Hampshire school district for the purpose of the 
New Hampshire teachers' retirement system, the New Hampshire 
state employees' retirement system, the New Hampshire workmen's 
compensation law and any other law relating to the regulation of em-
ployment or the provision of benefits for employees of New Hampshire 
school districts except as follows: 
"1. A teacher in a New Hampshire member district may elect to 
remain a member of the New Hampshire teachers' retirement 
system, even though assigned to teach in an interstate school in 
Vermont. 
"2. Employees of interstate districts designated as professional 
or instructional staff members, as defined in article I hereof, may 
elect to participate in the teachers' retirement system of either the 
state of New Hampshire or the state of Vermont but in no case 
will they participate in both retirement systems simultaneously. 
"3. It shall be the duty of the superintendent in an interstate 
district to: (a) advise teachers and other professional staff em-
ployees contracted for the district about the terms of the contract 
and the policies and procedure of the retirement systems; (b) see 
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC L
A
W 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
29 
that each teacher or professional staff employee selects the retire-
ment system of his choice at the time his contract is signed; 
(c) provide the commissioners of education in New Hampshire 
and in Vermont with the names and other pertinent information 
regarding each staff member under his jurisdiction so that each 
may be enrolled in the retirement system of his preference. 
"ARTICLE XI 
(( 
APPLICABILITY OF VERMONT LAWS 
"A. GENERAL SCHOOL LAWS.—^With respect to the operation and 
maintenance of any school of the district located in Vermont, the 
provisions of Vermont law shall apply except as otherwise provided 
m this compact and except that the powers and duties of the school 
board shall be exercised and discharged by the interstate board and 
the powers and duties of the union superintendent shall be exercised 
and discharged by the interstate district superintendent. 
"B. VERMONT STATE AID.—A Vermont school district shall be 
entitled to receive such amount of state aid for operating expendi-
tures as though its share of the interstate district's expenses were the 
expenses of the Vermont member district, and as though the Vermont 
member district pupils attending the interstate schools were attending 
a Vermont union school district's schools. Such state aid shall be paid 
to the Vermont member school district to reduce the sums which would 
otherwise be required to be raised by taxation within the member 
district. 
"C. CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF VERMONT MEMBER SCHOOL DIS-
TRICT.—A Vermont member school district shall continue in existence, 
and shall have all of the powers and be subject to all of the obliga-
tions imposed by law and not herein delegated to the interstate dis-
trict. If the interstate district incorporates only a part of the schools 
in the member school district, then the school board of the member 
school district shall continue in existence and it shall have all of 
the powers and be subject to all of the obligations imposed by law 
on it and not herein delegated to the district. However, if all of the 
schools in the member school district are incorporated into the inter-
state school district, then the member or members of the interstate 
board representing the member district shall have all of the powers 
and be subject to all of the obligations imposed by law on the members 
of a school board for the member district and not herein delegated to 
the interstate district. The Vermont member school district shall 
remain liable on its existing indebtedness; and the interstate school dis-
trict shall not become liable therefor. Any trust funds and any prop-
erty not taken over shall be retained by the Vermont member school 
district and held or disposed of according to law. 
"D. SUIT AND SERVICE OF PROCESS IN VERMONT.—The Courts of Ver-
mont shall have the same jurisdiction over the districts as though a 
Vermont member district were a party instead of the interstate dis-
trict. The service necessary to institute suit in Vermont shall be made 
on the district by leaving a copy of the writ or other proceedings in 
hand or at the last and usual place of abode of one of the directors who 
resides in Vermont, and by mailing a like copy to the clerk and to one 
other director by certified mail with return receipt requested. 
"E. EMPLOYMENT.—Each employee of an interstate district assigned 
to a school located in Vermont shall be considered an employee of a 
Vermont school district for the purpose of the state teachers' retire-
ment system of Vermont, the state employees' retirement system, the 
Vermont workmen's compensation law, and any other law relating 
30 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
to the regulation of employment or the provision of benefits for 
employees of Vermont school districts except as follows: 
"1. A teacher in a Vermont member district may elect to remain a 
member of the state teachers' retirement system of Vermont, even 
though assigned to teach in an interstate school in New Hampshire. 
"2. Employees of interstate districts designated as professional 
or instructional staff members, as defined in article I hereof, may 
elect to participate in the teachers' retirement system of either the 
state of Vermont or the state of New Hampshire but in no case 
will they participate in both retirement systems simultaneously. 
"3. It shall be the duty of the superintendent in an interstate 
district to: (a) advise teachers and other professional staff 
employees contracted for the district about the terms of the con-
tract and the policies and procedures of the retirement system; 
(b) see that each teacher or professional staff employee selects the 
retirement system of his choice at the time his contract is signed; 
(c) provide the commissioners of education in New Hampshire 
and in Vermont with the names and other pertinent information 
regarding each staff member under his jurisdiction so that each 
may be enrolled in the retirement system of his preference. 
"ARTICLE X I I 
"ADOPTION OF COMPACT BY DRESDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT 
"The Dresden School District, otherwise known as the Hanover-
Norwich Interstate School District, authorized by New Hampshire 
laws of 1961, chapter 116, and by the laws of Vermont, is hereby 
authorized to adopt the provisions of this compact and to become an 
interstate school district within the meaning hereof, upon the follow-
ing conditions and subject to the following limitations: 
"a. Articles of agTeement shall be prepared and signed by a major-
ity of the directors of the interstate school district. 
"b. The articles of agreement shall be submitted to an annual or 
special meeting of the Dresden district for adoption. 
"c. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of those present and voting 
shall be rec^uired for adoption. 
"d. Nothing contained therein, or in this compact, as it affects the 
Dresden School District shall affect adversely the rights of the holders 
of any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness then outstanding, or 
the rights of the district to procure the means for payment thereof 
previously authorized. 
"e. The corporate existence of the Dresden School District shall not 
be terminated by such adoption of articles of amendment, but shall be 
deemed to be so amended that it shall thereafter be governed by the 
terms of this compact. 
"ARTICLE X I I I 
"MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
"A. STUDIES.—Insofar as practicable, the studies required by the 
laws of both states shall be offered in an interstate school district. 
"B. TEXTBOOKS.—Textbooks and scholar's supplies shall be provided 
at the expense of the interstate district for pupils attending its schools. 
"C. TRANSPORTATION.—The allocation of the cost of transportation 
in an interstate school district, as between the interstate district and 
the member districts, shall be determined by the articles of agreement. 
"D. LOCATION OF SCHOOLHOUSES.—In any case where a new school-
83 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-21-JUNE 3, 1969 
31 
house or other school facility is to be constructed or acquired, the 
interstate board shall first determine whether it shall be located in 
New Hampshire or in Vermont. If it is to be located in New Hamp-
shire, RSA 199, relating to schoolhouses, shall apply. If it is to be 
located in Vermont, the Vermont law relating to schoolhouses shall 
apply. 
"E. FISCAL YEAR.—The fiscal year of each interstate district shall 
begin on July first of each year and end on June thirtieth of the follow-
ing year. 
"F. IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY.—Notwithstanding the fact 
that an interstate district may derive income from operating profit, 
fees, rentals, and other services, it shall be immune from suit and from 
liability for injury to persons or property and for other torts caused 
by it or its agents, servants, or independent contractors, except insofar 
as it may have undertaken such liability under RSA 281:7 relating to 
workmen's compensation, or RSA 412:3 relating to the procurement 
of liability insurance by a governmental agency and except insofar 
as it may have undertaken such liability under 21 V.S.A. Section 621 
relating to workmen's compnensation or 29 V.S.A. Section 1403 relating 
to the procurement of liability insurance by a governmental agency. 
"G. ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN COMMISSIONERS OF EDU-
CATION.—The commissioners of education of New Hampshire and 
Vermont may enter into one or more administrative agreements pre-
scribing the relationship between the interstate districts, member dis-
tricts, and each of the two state departments of education, in which any 
conflicts between the two states in procedure, regulations, and adminis-
trative practices may be resolved. 
"H. AMENDMENT.—Neither state shall amend its legislation or any 
agreement authorized thereby without the consent of the other in such 
manner as to substantially adversely affect the rights of the other 
state or its people hereunder, or as to substantially impair the rights of 
the holders of any bonds or notes or other evidences of indebtedness 
then outstanding or the rights of an interstate school district to pro-
cure the means for payment thereof. Subject to the foregoing, any 
reference herein to other statutes of either state shall refer to such 
statute as it may be amended or revised from time to time. 
"I. SEPARABILITY.—If any of the provisions of this compact, or leg-
islaJtion enabling the same, shall be held invalid or unconstitutional 
in relation to any of the applications thereof, such invalidity or 
unconstitutionality shall not affect other applications thereof or other 
provisions thereof; and to this end the provisions of this compact are 
declared to be severable. 
"J. INCONSISTENCY OF LANGUAGE.—The validity of this compact 
shall not be affected by any insubstantial differences in its form or 
language as adopted by the two states. 
"ARTICLE 
XIV 
"EFFECTIVE DATE 
"This compact shall become effective when agreed to by the States 
of New Hampshire and Vermont and approved by the United States 
Congress." 
SEC. 2. The right is hereby reserved by the Congress or any of its 
standing committees to require the disclosure and the furnishing of 
such information and data by or concerning any school district created 
32 
PUBLIC LAW 91-22-JUNE 6, 1969 
[83 STAT. 
under the New liauipsliire-Veriuoiit Interstate School Compact as is 
deemed appropriate by the 0)ng-ress or such committee. 
SEC. 3. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly 
reserved. 
Approved June 3, 1969. 
Public Law 91-22 
June 6,1969 
AN ACT 
[S- 408] 
To liberalize the eligibility requirements governing the grant of assistance in 
acquiring specially adapted housing for certain service-connected disabled 
veterans, to increase the amount of such grant, to raise the limit on the amount 
of direct housing loans made by the Veterans' Administration, and for other 
purix>ses. 
Disabled vet-
erans. 
Housing loans, 
increase. 
73 Stat. 472; 
78 Stat. 380. 
72 Stat. 1168. 
80 Stat. 26; 
81 Stat. 190. 
72 Stat. 1205. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Re^yresentatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 801 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by substituting a comma and 
the word "or" for the semicolon at the end of clause numbered (2) and 
adding "(3) due to the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity 
together with residuals of organic disease or injury which so affect 
the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion with-
out resort to a w^heelchair,". 
SEC. 2. Section 802 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking out "$10,000" and inserting in lieu thereof "$12,500". 
SEC. 3. Section 1811 (d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking out "$17,500" each place where it appears therein and 
inserting in lieu thereof in each such place "$21,000". 
SEC. 4. Section 1803(d)(3) of title 38, United States Code, be 
amended to read as follows: 
"(3) Any real estate loan (other than for repairs, alterations, or 
improvements) shall be secured by a first lien on the realty. In deter-
mining whether a loan for the purchase or construction of a home is 
so secured, the Administrator may disregard a superior lien created 
by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty in favor of a 
private entity to secure an obligation to such entity for the home-
owner's share of the costs of the management, operation, or mainte-
nance of property, services or programs within and for the benefit of 
the development or community in which the veteran's realty is located, 
if he determines that the interests of the veteran borrower and of the 
Government w^ill not be prejudiced by the operation of such covenant. 
In respect to any such superior lien to be created after the effective date 
of this amendment, the Administrator's determination must have been 
made prior to the recordation of the covenant. Any non-real-estate 
loan (other than for working or other capital, merchandise, goodwill, 
and other intangible assets) sliall be secured by personalty to the extent 
legal and practicable." 
Approved June 6, 1969.