reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-C - School Administrative Units › Section 194-C:9 - Budget.

194-C:9 Budget. –
I. At a meeting held before January 1, the school administrative unit board shall adopt a budget required for the expenses of the school administrative unit for the next fiscal year, which budget may include the salary and expenses of supervisors of health, physical education, music, art, and guidance, and any other employees, and shall include the expenses necessary for the operation of the school administrative unit. Superintendents, assistant superintendents, business administrators, teacher consultants, and the regularly employed office personnel of the school administrative unit office shall be deemed employees of the school administrative unit for the purposes of payment of salaries and contributions to the employee's retirement system of the state of New Hampshire and workers' compensation. The school administrative unit board shall apportion the total amount of the budget among the constituent school districts in the following manner: the apportionment shall be based 1/2 on the average membership in attendance for the previous school year and 1/2 on the most recently available equalized valuation of each district as of June 30 of the preceding school year. Prior to January 15 in each year, the board shall certify to the chairperson of the school board of each constituent school district the amount so apportioned. Each district within a school administrative unit shall raise at the next annual district meeting the sum of money apportioned to it by the school administrative unit board for the expenses of services which each district received in connection with the school administrative unit office. The school administrative unit board in adopting the budget shall not add any new service to the school administrative unit budget unless a majority of the school districts in the school administrative unit representing not less than 60 percent of the total pupils in the school administrative unit have voted favorably upon the establishment of the service. A vote to accept a new service shall not be construed as a vote to raise and appropriate money within the meaning of RSA 197:3.
II. The provisions of paragraph I shall not apply to school administrative units comprising only one district. The budget for these units shall be a part of the school district budget and subject to the vote of the annual school district meeting or, for those districts without an annual meeting, by the legislative body.
III. Paragraph I of this section shall not apply to school districts which have adopted the provisions of RSA 194-C:9-a.
Source.
1996, 298:3. 2003, 279:1, eff. Sept. 16, 2003.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-C - School Administrative Units › Section 194-C:10 - Public Hearing.

194-C:10 Public Hearing. –
Before final adoption of the school administrative unit budget as provided in RSA 194-C:9, at least one public hearing shall be held within the school administrative unit, at a time and place specified by the school administrative unit board chairperson, upon a preliminary budget prepared by the school administrative unit board. Notice of such public hearing and a summary of the preliminary budget shall be submitted by the secretary of the board for publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the school administrative unit at least 7 days prior to the date of the hearing. The budget, subsequent to its final approval by the school administrative unit board, shall be posted in a public place in each constituent school district and given such other publication as the school administrative unit board may determine.
Source.
1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-D - Open Enrollment Schools › Section 194-D:1 - Definitions.

194-D:1 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Open enrollment public school" or "open enrollment school" means any public school which, in addition to providing educational services to pupils residing within its attendance area or district, chooses to accept pupils from other attendance areas within its district and from outside its district.
II. "Parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person or entity having legal custody of a child or, in the case of a child with a disability, a surrogate parent who has been appointed in accordance with state or federal law.
III. "Pupil" means any child who is eligible for attendance in public schools in New Hampshire, and who lives with a parent.
IV. "Receiving district" means the school district to which a pupil is sent to attend an open enrollment school.
V. "Resident district" means the school district in which the pupil resides.
VI. "School board" means the school district school board.
VII. "Sending district" means the school district in which the pupil resides.
VIII. "State board" means the state board of education.
IX. "Teacher" means any individual providing or capable of providing direct instructional services to pupils, and who meets requirements prescribed in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
Source.
2009, 241:14, eff. Sept. 14, 2009.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-D - Open Enrollment Schools › Section 194-D:4 - Pupil Selection and Enrollment.

194-D:4 Pupil Selection and Enrollment. –
I. (a) Open enrollment schools may set maximum enrollment as they deem appropriate.
(b) Open enrollment schools may limit enrollment to specific grade or age levels, pupil needs, or areas of academic focus including, but not limited to, at-risk pupils, vocational education pupils, mathematics, science, the arts, history, or languages.
(c)(1) Open enrollment schools may select pupils on the basis of aptitude, academic achievement, or need, provided that such selection is directly related to the academic goals of the school.
(2) If the number of otherwise eligible applicants to a particular open enrollment school exceeds that school's maximum published enrollment, that school shall use lottery selection as a basis for admission.
(3) If the number of otherwise eligible applicants to open enrollment schools located inside and outside the school district exceeds that district's published maximum percentage of pupils authorized to attend such schools, the district shall use lottery selection as a basis for pupil eligibility, and in accordance with RSA 194-D:2, VIII.
II. A pupil may withdraw from an open enrollment school at any time and enroll in a public school where the pupil resides, except that no pupil shall change schools more than once each school year. The school board of the pupil's resident district may waive this limitation after a hearing.
III. A pupil may be suspended or expelled from an open enrollment school based on criteria determined by the principal and teachers in the open enrollment school and in conformance with RSA 193:13. No open enrollment school shall be obligated to enroll an expelled pupil.
IV. For the purpose of this chapter, a pupil enrolled in an open enrollment school shall be considered reassigned to the school district in which the open enrollment school is located for purposes of school attendance.
V. The school board in the district in which the open enrollment school is located may establish policies to implement open enrollment schools as provided in this chapter.
Source.
2009, 241:14, eff. Sept. 14, 2009.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-D - Open Enrollment Schools › Section 194-D:5 - Funding.

194-D:5 Funding. –
I. There shall be no tuition charge for any pupil attending an open enrollment school located in that pupil's resident district. For an open enrollment school authorized by the school district, the pupil's resident district shall pay to such school an amount equal to not less than 80 percent of that district's average cost per pupil as determined by the department of education using the most recent available data as reported by the district to the department.
II. In accordance with current department of education standards, the funding and educational decision-making process for children with disabilities attending a chartered public or open enrollment school shall be the responsibility of the school district and shall retain all current options available to the parent and to the school district.
III. Any federal or other funding available in any year to a sending district shall, to the extent and in a manner acceptable to the funding source, be directed to an open enrollment school in a receiving district on an eligible per pupil basis.
IV. The commissioner of the department of education shall apply for all federal funding available to open enrollment schools under the No Child Left Behind Act, Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or other federal source of funds. The commissioner shall expend any such funds received in a manner acceptable to the funding source.
V. A sending district may provide funds, services, equipment, materials, or personnel to an open enrollment school, in addition to the amounts specified in this section in accordance with the policies of the sending school district.
VI. An open enrollment school may accept pupils at tuition rates at less than the amounts established by this chapter.
VII. An open enrollment school may receive financial aid, private gifts, grants, or revenue as if it were a school district.
Source.
2009, 241:14, eff. Sept. 14, 2009.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-D - Open Enrollment Schools › Section 194-D:6 - Budgets.

194-D:6 Budgets. –
That portion of a school district's estimated expenditures on open enrollment school tuition shall be shown as a separate line item in a school district's budget.
Source.
2009, 241:14, eff. Sept. 14, 2009.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-D - Open Enrollment Schools › Section 194-D:7 - State Board; Duties.

194-D:7 State Board;  Duties. –
I. The state board shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, consistent with the provisions of this chapter relative to the administration of open enrollment schools.
II. The state board shall convene one or more working committees to study and make recommendations regarding the implementation and effectiveness of open enrollment schools. The recommendations shall be provided to the legislative oversight committee in RSA 194-B:21.
Source.
2009, 241:14, eff. Sept. 14, 2009.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-E - Innovation Schools › Section 194-E:1 - Definitions.

194-E:1 Definitions. –
In this section:
I. "Innovation school" means a school in which a local school board implements an innovation plan pursuant to RSA 194-E:2 with the approval of the state board.
II. "Innovation school zone" means a group of schools of a school district or multiple school districts that share common interests, such as geographical location or educational focus, or that sequentially serve classes of students as they progress through elementary and secondary education and in which a local school board implements a plan for creating an innovation school zone pursuant to RSA 194-E:2 with the approval of the state board.
III. "State board" means the state board of education established in RSA 21-N:10.
Source.
2021, 27:1, eff. July 5, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-E - Innovation Schools › Section 194-E:3 - State Approval.

194-E:3 State Approval. –
I. A local school board may seek an innovation school or school zone designation by the state board.
II. A local school board that seeks designation of an innovation school or school zone shall submit one or more innovation plans to the department for review and comment.
III. Within 45 days after receiving a local school board's plan, the department of education shall respond to the local school board with any suggested changes or additions to the plan, including but not limited to suggestions for further innovations or for measures to increase the likelihood that the innovations will result in greater academic achievement and growth within the innovation schools or innovation school zones. Based on the department's comments, the local school board may choose to withdraw and resubmit its innovation plan or plan for creating an innovation school zone.
IV. The local school board shall forward the innovation plan to the state board for review.
V. The state board shall hold public hearing on the plan. A representative of the department of education and a representative of the proposing local board shall be present at the hearing.
VI. Within 60 days after receiving a local school board's innovation plan or plan for creating an innovation school or school zone, the state board shall either approve or reject the innovation plan using reasonable discretion in the assessment of the elements set forth in this chapter and provide written explanation of the decision to the local board.
VII. If the innovation plan is rejected, the local board may resubmit an amended innovation plan to the department at any time after rejection.
Source.
2021, 27:1, eff. July 5, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-E - Innovation Schools › Section 194-E:4 - Innovation Plans; Waiver of Regulatory Requirements.

194-E:4 Innovation Plans;  Waiver of Regulatory Requirements. –
I. Upon the designation of an innovation school or school zone, the state board shall waive compliance with any administrative rules specified in the local district plan.
II. Each local district shall continue to be subject to all laws and rules that are not waived by the state board under this chapter.
III. No waiver shall be granted from any requirement of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
IV. The local board may submit a revised innovation plan under RSA 194-E:2 at any time if it is determined that additional waivers are required.
V. Each local district and schools not specified in the innovation plan shall continue to be subject to all rules that are not waived by the state board.
Source.
2021, 27:1, eff. July 5, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-E - Innovation Schools › Section 194-E:5 - Innovation School and School Zone Reviews.

194-E:5 Innovation School and School Zone Reviews. –
I. Two years after state board approval of the innovation plan and every 2 years thereafter, the local board shall review the plan and the progress toward the plan objectives including improvements in academic performance and any cost savings or increased efficiencies, or both.
II. The results of the local board review shall be provided to the department of education.
III. If a local school board finds that the academic performance of students enrolled in the innovation school is not improving at a sufficient rate or that the plan is not achieving the planned results, the local school board may notify the department and state board that they wish to revoke the innovation status.
Source.
2021, 27:1, eff. July 5, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-E - Innovation Schools › Section 194-E:6 - Department of Education Review.

194-E:6 Department of Education Review. –
I. The department shall review the results of each local board innovation plan review and analyze the results based upon data available to the department.
II. The department may at any time conduct its own review of the innovation school or school zone performance.
III. If the department finds that innovation plan performance is not satisfactory, they shall notify the local board and the state board. The local board may respond or provide a revised innovation plan pursuant to RSA 194-E:2.
IV. The state board may revoke the innovation status at any time with notification to the local board and to the department.
Source.
2021, 27:1, eff. July 5, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-E - Innovation Schools › Section 194-E:7 - Reporting.

194-E:7 Reporting. –
I. The department of education shall provide an annual report on innovation schools and school zones to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairpersons of the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over education, and the state board of education.
II. The report shall include:
(a) The number of school districts with innovation schools or school zones and the total number in the state.
(b) The number of innovation schools and the number of schools within each innovation school zone.
(c) The number of students in each innovation school or innovation school zone and a percentage of students in the local district.
(d) An overview of innovations implemented.
(e) An overview of the academic performance of the students served in innovation schools and innovation school zones, including a comparison between the students' academic performance before and after implementation of the innovations, and a comparison with the academic performance of similar schools.
(f) A list of administrative rules waived.
Source.
2021, 27:1, eff. July 5, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-E - Innovation Schools › Section 194-E:8 - Rulemaking.

194-E:8 Rulemaking. –
The state board of education shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to innovation schools and innovation zones.
Source.
2021, 27:1, eff. July 5, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:1 - Definitions.

194-F:1 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Adequate education grant" means the grant calculated under RSA 198:41.
II. "Curriculum" means the lessons and academic content taught in a specific course, program, or grade level.
III. "Department" means the department of education.
IV. "Education freedom account" or "EFA" means the account to which funds are allocated by the scholarship organization to the parent of an EFA student in order to pay for qualifying education expenses to educate the EFA student under this chapter.
V. "Education service provider" means a person or organization that receives payments from education freedom accounts to provide educational goods and services to EFA students.
VI. "Eligible student" means a resident of this state who is eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school and whose annual household income at the time the student applies for the program is less than or equal to 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. section 9902(2). No income threshold need be met in subsequent years, provided the student otherwise qualifies. Students in the special school district within the department of corrections established in RSA 194:60 shall not be eligible students.
VII. "EFA student" means an eligible student who is participating in the EFA program.
VIII. "Full-time" means more than 50 percent of instructional time.
IX. "Remote or hybrid" shall mean any public school that is not providing instruction in-person where the student or the educator are both not physically present in the traditional classroom due to full-time or part-time classroom closure.
X. "Parent" means a biological or adoptive parent, legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to act on behalf of an EFA student.
XI. "Program" means the education freedom account program established in this chapter.
XII. "Scholarship organization", means a scholarship organization approved under RSA 77:G, that administers and implements the EFA Act.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021. 2023, 110:1, eff. Aug. 26, 2023.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:5 - Parent and Education Service Provider Advisory Commission.

194-F:5 Parent and Education Service Provider Advisory Commission. –
I. There is established the parent and education service provider advisory commission to assist the scholarship organization by providing recommendations about implementing, administering, and improving the EFA program.
II. The commission shall consist of 7 members who shall be parents of EFA students or education service providers and shall represent no fewer than 4 counties in the state. The members shall be appointed by the director of the scholarship organization and serve at the director's pleasure for one calendar year after which they may be reappointed. The director of the scholarship organization, or designee, shall serve as a non-voting chairperson of the commission. The commissioner of the department of education, or designee, shall serve as a non-voting member of the commission.
III. The scholarship organization may request the commission to meet, in person or virtually, to review appeals of education service provider denials pursuant to RSA 194-F:4, XI and to provide a recommendation to the scholarship organization as to whether an education service provider should be allowed to receive, or continue receiving, payments from EFAs.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:6 - Requirements for Education Service Providers.

194-F:6 Requirements for Education Service Providers. –
I. The scholarship organization may approve education service providers on its own initiative, at the request of parents, or by notice to the scholarship organization provided by prospective education service providers.
II. A prospective education service provider that wishes to receive payments from EFAs shall:
(a) Submit notice to the scholarship organization that it wishes to receive payments from EFAs.
(b) Agree not to refund, rebate, or share EFA funds with parents or EFA students in any manner, except that funds may be remitted or refunded to an EFA in accordance with procedures established by the scholarship organization.
(c) Comply with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:7 - Independence of Education Service Providers.

194-F:7 Independence of Education Service Providers. –
I. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to limit the independence or autonomy of an education service provider or to make the actions of an education service provider the actions of the state government.
II. Education service providers shall be given maximum freedom to provide for the educational needs of EFA students without governmental control.
III. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any school district to impose any additional regulation of education service providers beyond those necessary to enforce the requirements of the EFA program.
IV. Any education service provider that accepts payment from an EFA under this chapter is not an agent of the state or federal government.
V. An education service provider shall not be required to alter its creed, practices, admissions policy, or curriculum in order to accept payments from an EFA.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:8 - Responsibilities of Public Schools and School Districts.

194-F:8 Responsibilities of Public Schools and School Districts. –
A public school, or school district, that previously enrolled an EFA student shall provide a private school that is also an education service provider and that has enrolled an EFA student with a complete copy of the ESA student's school records, in a timely manner, while complying with 20 U.S.C. section 1232g, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:9 - Legal Proceedings.

194-F:9 Legal Proceedings. –
I. In any legal proceeding challenging the application of this chapter to an education service provider, the state bears the burden of establishing that the law is necessary and does not impose any undue burden on the education service provider.
II. No liability shall arise on the part of the scholarship organization or the state or of any public school or school district based on the award of or use of an EFA pursuant to this chapter.
III. If any part of this chapter is challenged in a state court as violating either the state or federal constitutions, parents of eligible and/or EFA students shall be permitted to intervene as of right in such lawsuit for the purposes of defending the EFA program's constitutionality. However, for the purposes of judicial administration, a court may require that all parents file a joint brief, so long as they are not required to join any brief filed on behalf of any named state defendant.
IV. If any provision of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:10 - Phase-Out Grants.

194-F:10 Phase-Out Grants. –
I. For each school district, the commissioner shall calculate the amount of the reduction in adequate education grants pursuant to RSA 194-F:2, I for each student receiving an EFA under this chapter. In the first year of the grant reduction, the commissioner shall calculate 50 percent of the reduction for each student and shall disburse that amount to the district as a district funding phaseout grant. In the second year of the grant reduction, the commissioner shall calculate 25 percent of the reduction for each student and shall disburse that amount to the district as a district funding phase-out grant. All district funding phase-out grants shall be included in the September 1 disbursement required pursuant to RSA 198:42.
II. The phase-out grants will terminate for new EFA students receiving an EFA effective July 1, 2026.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:11 - Appropriation From Education Trust Fund.

194-F:11 Appropriation From Education Trust Fund. –
The amount necessary to fund any grants or transfers of funds authorized under this chapter is hereby appropriated to the department from the education trust fund created under RSA 198:39. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state's obligation under this section. Such warrant for payment shall be issued regardless of the balance of funds available in the education trust fund. If the balance in the education trust fund, after the issuance of any such warrant, is less than zero, the comptroller shall transfer sufficient funds from the general fund to eliminate such deficit. The commissioner of the department of administrative services shall inform the fiscal committee and the governor and council of such balance. This reporting shall not in any way prohibit or delay the distribution of any grant or transfer of funds authorized under this chapter.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 194-F - Education Freedom Accounts › Section 194-F:12 - Legislative Oversight Committee Established.

194-F:12 Legislative Oversight Committee Established. –
There is established an education freedom savings account oversight committee.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, one of whom shall be a member of the majority party and one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the majority party and one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
III. The committee shall monitor the implementation of RSA 194-F, including the impact of state education funding to local district schools, and make recommendations for any legislative changes to the education freedom savings account program.
IV. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
V. The committee shall submit a report on or before November 30, 2022, and each year thereafter, to the general court including findings, recommendations, and any corrective or technical improvements that the education freedom account program may require.
Source.
2021, 91:431, eff. Aug. 24, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:1 - Definitions.

195:1 Definitions. –
The terms used in this chapter shall be construed as follows, unless a different meaning is clearly apparent from the language or context:
I. "Cooperative school district" means a district composed of 2 or more school districts of the state associated together under the provisions of this chapter and may include either the elementary schools, the secondary schools, or both.
II. "Elementary school" shall mean all grades from the kindergarten or grade one through grade 6, or kindergarten or grade one through grade 8.
III. "Secondary school" shall mean all grades from grade 7 through grade 12, or grade 9 through grade 12.
IV. "Cooperative school board" shall mean a school board serving a cooperative school district.
V. "Pre-existing district" shall mean a district or portion of a district which is included within the boundaries of a proposed or established cooperative school district.
VI. [Repealed.]
VII. "Commissioner" shall mean commissioner of education.
VIII. "Date of operating responsibility" shall mean the date or dates set in the resolution adopted at the organization meeting or in the articles of agreement adopted by the several school districts on which the cooperative school district shall take over operating control of those schools within such district which it was organized to operate. Wherever the words "establishment" or "date of establishment" appear in this chapter, they shall be given a meaning synonymous with "date of operating control".
IX. "Valuation" shall mean the valuation as determined by the commissioner of revenue administration for debt limits, under the provisions of RSA 33.
Source.
1947, 199:1. 1951, 213:1, par. 1. 1953, 225:1. RSA 195:1. 1955, 334:6. 1963, 258:3. 1973, 544:8. 1986, 41:29, VII, eff. April 3, 1988.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:2 - Standards.

195:2 Standards. –
I. (a) It is the purpose of this chapter to increase educational opportunities within the state by encouraging the formation of cooperative school districts which will each:
(1) Be a natural social and economic region.
(2) Have an adequate minimum taxable valuation.
(3) Have a number of pupils sufficient to permit the efficient use of school facilities within the district and to provide improved instruction.
(b) The state board of education shall approve articles of agreement for a proposed cooperative school district, or agreements for the enlargement of a cooperative school district, only after determining that the formation or enlargement of the district will be in accord with such standards and the purposes set forth herein.
II. [Repealed.]
III.
Advisory Powers of Board. The board may prepare recommended forms of articles of agreement and existing arrangements for cooperative school districts and may furnish its advisory services to cooperative school district planning boards or school boards who have such matters under consideration.
Source.
1951, 213:1, par. 2. RSA 195:2. 1963, 258:4. 1979, 459:4. 1996, 158:1, 2, eff. July 1, 1996.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:5 - School Board; Powers and Duties.

195:5 School Board;  Powers and Duties. –
The cooperative school board elected at the organization meeting shall organize and take office at the close of such meeting and proceed to assume its responsibilities and duties with respect to the administration and planning of the new cooperative school district; provided, however, that the cooperative board shall have no administrative authority as to the schools in the pre-existing districts until the date of operating responsibility. Thereafter all cooperative school district officers shall assume office at the close of the annual meeting. The cooperative school board shall have the same powers and duties as school boards in school districts as prescribed by RSA 189. Except as provided in this chapter, all the provisions of this chapter or of any other general law relating to or affecting school districts in the state shall apply to cooperative school districts organized as herein provided.
I.
Clerk. The cooperative school board shall appoint annually and fix the salary of the district clerk who shall not be a member of the cooperative school board. The district clerk shall serve also as the clerk of the cooperative school board.
II.
Treasurer. The treasurer of a cooperative school district shall be appointed by the cooperative school board for one or more terms not to exceed 5 years each, shall not be a member of the cooperative school board, and shall receive for services such sum as the cooperative school board may determine. The treasurer shall, before entering upon the duties of such office, give a bond to the cooperative school district with a surety company authorized to do business within the state in a form approved by the commissioner of revenue administration, and the premium shall be paid by the cooperative school district. The provisions of RSA 21-J:17, applicable to uniform accounting by school districts, shall apply to cooperative school districts.
Source.
1947, 199:4, 5. 1951, 213:1, par. 5. 1953, 225:4. RSA 195:5. 1963, 258:5. 1973, 544:8. 1996, 222:4, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:6 - Powers and Duties of Cooperative School Districts.

195:6 Powers and Duties of Cooperative School Districts. –
I. Each cooperative school district shall be a body corporate and politic with power to sue and be sued, to acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property for the use of schools therein, and to make necessary contracts in relation thereto, and have and possess all the powers and be subject to all the liabilities conferred and imposed upon school districts under the provisions of RSA 194. Whenever a cooperative school district assumes all the functions of a pre-existing district, it shall also assume the outstanding indebtedness and obligations thereof as of the date of operating responsibility; and on such date of operating responsibility the pre-existing districts shall be deemed dissolved, and any and all assets, property and records thereof not previously disposed of shall vest in the cooperative school district, unless otherwise provided in the articles of agreement or existing arrangements.
II. Each cooperative school district shall have the power to borrow money and issue its notes or bonds in conformity with the provisions of RSA 33, provided, however, indebtedness of a cooperative district organized to provide both elementary and secondary schools may be incurred to an amount not to exceed 10 percent of its assessed valuation as last equalized by the commissioner of revenue administration.
III. Whenever only a part of the educational facilities of a local school district are incorporated into a cooperative school district, such local district shall continue in existence and function as previously. The cooperative school district shall assume only those outstanding debts and obligations of the local school district which pertain to the property acquired by the cooperative school district for use by the cooperative school district. In such case no cooperative school district shall for elementary school purposes incur debt to an amount exceeding 5 percent, and for secondary school purposes, if organized for grades 9 through 12, to an amount exceeding 5 percent, and for secondary school purposes if organized for grades 7 through 12, to an amount not exceeding 6 percent of the total assessed valuation of such district as last equalized by the commissioner of revenue administration. No cooperative school district described in this paragraph shall incur indebtedness if it subjects the taxable property of any school district forming a part thereof to debt, when added to the debt of such school district, of more than 10 percent of the total assessed value of such taxable property as last equalized by the commissioner of revenue administration.
Source.
1947, 199:3. 1951, 213:1, par. 6. 1953, 225:5, 6. RSA 195:6. 1955, 334:5, 8. 1957, 126:1, 2. 1959, 209:1, 2. 1963, 258:6. 1973, 544:8. 1996, 158:4, eff. July 1, 1996.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:7 - Costs of Capital Outlay and Operation.

195:7 Costs of Capital Outlay and Operation. –
I. If a cooperative school district was organized prior to July 1, 1963, during the first 5 years after the formation of a cooperative school district each preexisting district shall pay its share of all capital outlay costs and operational costs in accordance with either one of the following formulas as determined by a majority vote of the cooperative district meeting:
(a) All such costs shall be apportioned on the basis of the ratio that the equalized valuation of each preexisting district bears to that of the cooperative district; or
(b) One-half of all such costs shall be apportioned on the basis of the ratio that the equalized valuation of each preexisting district bears to that of the cooperative district and
1/2 shall be apportioned on the average daily membership for the preceding year.
(c) Some other formula offered by the cooperative school board with the board's recommendation, adopted by the cooperative school district and approved by the state board of education.
II. Home education pupils who do not receive services from the cooperative school district, except an evaluation pursuant to RSA 193-A:6, II, shall not be included in the average daily membership relative to apportionment formulas.
Source.
1951, 213:1, par. 7. RSA 195:7. 1955, 334:9. 1959, 195:1. 1961, 206:4. 1996, 158:5; 222:15. 1999, 17:37, eff. April 29, 1999; 281:5, eff. July 16, 1999.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:8 - Reconsideration Procedure.

195:8 Reconsideration Procedure. –
If a cooperative school district was organized prior to July 1, 1963, the basis for the apportionment of all such costs may be subject to review, pursuant to an article for that purpose duly inserted in the warrant for a district meeting to be held at any time after the expiration of the 5-year period measured from the date of the first annual meeting. If the apportionment formula for a cooperative school district has been duly changed, or if an article to continue the current formula has been passed at a district meeting, the basis for the apportionment of all such costs may be subject to review, pursuant to an article for that purpose duly inserted in the warrant for a district meeting to be held at any time after the expiration of the 5-year period measured from the date of the meeting at which the last change was made to the cost apportionment formula or the last article to continue the current formula was passed. In either case, the cooperative school district may then by majority vote elect to apportion all such costs by the adoption of one of the formulas set forth in RSA 195:7, I(a), (b), or (c). Such apportionment may be reviewed in the same manner at any time in order to permit the enlargement of the territory of a school district or an increase in the number of grades for which the district shall be responsible.
Source.
1947, 199:8. 1951, 213:1, par. 8. 1953, 226:8. RSA 195:8. 1955, 334:10. 1959, 195:2. 1961, 206:5. 1963, 258:7. 1996, 158:5; 222:16. 2000, 59:1, eff. June 16, 2000. 2021, 80:1, eff. Aug. 17, 2021.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:9-a - Property Not Taken Over by District.

195:9-a Property Not Taken Over by District. –
Whenever a cooperative district is formed and assumes all of the functions of a preexisting school district but does not take over all of the property in a preexisting district, the school board of such preexisting district shall call a special school district meeting prior to the time of establishment of the cooperative district to see what action shall be taken relative to the remaining property. Where such special meeting neglects to dispose of remaining real property, the successor in interest to a preexisting school district that is coextensive with a city or town is the city or town.
Source.
1955, 334:1. 2001, 35:3, eff. June 8, 2001.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:10 - Disposal of Property.

195:10 Disposal of Property. –
Whenever any property of a cooperative school district is disposed of, the proceeds thereof shall be credited to each pre-existing district in the same proportion as the costs of making capital improvements are credited.
Source.
1951, 213:1, par. 10, eff. Aug. 13, 1951.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:11 - Continuance of Trust Funds.

195:11 Continuance of Trust Funds. –
All trust funds held or enjoyed by any pre-existing district shall be held and applied as the terms of the trust indicate. If such trust allows, the funds may be applied for the same uses and purposes of the cooperative district.
Source.
1951, 213:1, par. 11. RSA 195:11. 1955, 334:12, eff. Aug. 5, 1955.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:11-a - Capital Reserves and Cash Balances.

195:11-a Capital Reserves and Cash Balances. –
When all of the functions of a school district are to be assumed by a cooperative district the balance of any capital reserve fund established by a school district and any cash balance in the hands of the treasurer or money due the district at the time of establishment of the cooperative district less any outstanding bills or debts other than long term indebtedness which is to become the obligation of the cooperative district, shall be used as a credit against the cooperative district assessment to be raised by the pre-existing district for the first year of operation or may be spread over a period of not more than 5 years as the voters of the pre-existing school district shall determine at either any annual meeting or a special school district meeting called for that purpose prior to the establishment of the cooperative district.
Source.
1955, 334:2, eff. Aug. 5, 1955.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:12 - Budget.

195:12 Budget. –
At least 30 days prior to the annual meeting, the cooperative school board shall prepare a budget for the ensuing year, after holding at least one public hearing upon a preliminary budget at some convenient place in the district, of which at least 7 days' notice shall have been given, and said budget, subsequent to its final approval by such board, shall be posted in a public place in each pre-existing district and given such other publication as the cooperative school board may determine. The provisions of RSA 32 shall apply to a cooperative school district.
Source.
1947, 199:9. 1951, 213:1, par. 12. 1953, 225:7. RSA 195:12. 1963, 258:9. 1996, 158:6, eff. July 1, 1996.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:12-a - Budget Committee.

195:12-a Budget Committee. –
I. A cooperative school district at an annual meeting, under a proper article in the warrant, may vote to establish a budget committee pursuant to RSA 32:14 and may rescind such action in a like manner. The budget committee shall have the same number of members as the cooperative district school board plus one additional member from the school board as provided in this paragraph. The terms of office and manner of election of members shall be determined in the same manner as for the cooperative school board. Whenever it is voted to establish a budget committee, the moderator in the first instance shall appoint the members of the budget committee, except for the additional member appointed from the school board, within 15 days of the vote establishing the committee. The members appointed by the moderator shall serve until the next annual meeting when the meeting shall elect their successors. No member of the cooperative school board shall be appointed or elected to the budget committee except that the chairperson of the cooperative school board shall appoint a member of the board to serve on the budget committee with all the powers and duties of any other member of the committee. After appointment or election the budget committee shall promptly organize and choose a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. The secretary shall keep records of the proceedings of the budget committee, which shall be public records open to public inspection.
II. Such cooperative school budget committee shall have the powers and duties of the municipal budget committee under the provisions of RSA 32 insofar as the budget for the cooperative school district is concerned and insofar as RSA 32 is applicable to the cooperative school budget.
III. Such committee shall seasonably provide the cooperative school board with a sufficient number of copies of the budget prepared by it, and the same shall be posted with each copy of the warrant in the manner provided by RSA 195:13.
Source.
1961, 206:6. 1963, 258:10, 10-a. 1967, 136:1, 2. 1971, 252:3. 1979, 321:4. 1996, 158:6, eff. July 1, 1996; 222:17, eff. July 1, 1996.
2023 New Hampshire Revised Statutes › Title XV - Education › Chapter 195 - Cooperative School Districts › Section 195:13 - Meetings, Annual, Special.

195:13 Meetings, Annual, Special. –
A meeting of every cooperative school district shall be held annually between the dates set forth in RSA 197:1 for the choice of district officers, raising and appropriating money for the support of its schools for the fiscal year beginning the next July, and for the transaction of other district business. Special meetings may be called by majority vote of the school board. A special meeting shall be held within 30 days following the receipt by the school board of a petition calling for such a meeting and setting forth the subject matter upon which action is desired signed by at least 5 percent of the voters who are duly registered on the checklists of the district on the date the petition is submitted. The provisions of RSA 197, excepting the provisions of RSA 197:2, shall apply to cooperative school district meetings, except that a copy of the warrant shall be posted in a public place in each pre-existing district as well as at the place of meeting.
Source.
1942, 199:10. 1951, 213:1, par. 13. RSA 195:13. 1969, 211:1. 1971, 562:5. 1973, 427:1. 1981, 250:2, eff. Sept. 1, 1981.