Press

Statements by AFT-NH and AFT on Tabling of Local Voucher Bill

Statements by AFT-NH and AFT on Tabling of Local Voucher Bill CONCORD, N.H.—Statements by AFT-New Hampshire President Deb Howes and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the New Hampshire House of Representatives’ bipartisan tabling of a controversial local voucher bill: AFT-NH President Deb Howes: “AFT-NH commends the bipartisan legislators for coming together to protect public education and local property taxpayers. Public education is the bedrock of the Granite State, and students, school staff and taxpayers would have suffered if this misguided voucher bill had passed. New Hampshire lawmakers heard the voices of voters, who said that instead of another expensive voucher program, they want investment in their neighborhood public schools. We hope this stand for an equitable public education continues in the Legislature and bills like this never see the light of day again.” AFT President Randi Weingarten: “Every child in this country deserves a well-funded, safe, welcoming public school that helps them thrive academically, socially and emotionally. But voucher schemes take money away from our neighborhood public schools, and this one was particularly fiscally and educationally irresponsible. Today in New Hampshire, the voices of parents and community members were heard loud and clear: Don’t defund public education and raise property taxes for another voucher scheme. And the Legislature, in a bipartisan manner, listened, and we are grateful. As we continue to help our kids recover from the pandemic, New Hampshire should invest in public schools and focus on giving all kids a high-quality public education.” # # # MORE

AFT-NH Statement on Additional Lawsuit Against Divisive Concepts Law

AFT-NH Statement on Additional Lawsuit Against Divisive Concepts Law

CONCORD, N.H.—Statement by AFT-New Hampshire President Deb Howes on a lawsuit brought by the NEA-NH challenging the constitutionality of New Hampshire’s so-called divisive concepts law. AFT-NH, three New Hampshire public school teachers and two parents filed a federal lawsuit over the law on Dec. 13.

“This lawsuit adds an additional voice to the growing chorus of challenges to the so-called divisive concepts law. The law is unconstitutionally and hopelessly vague, making it impossible for teachers to know what and how to teach

AFT-NH: Edelblut Is Encouraging Parent Complaints About Teaching ‘Divisive Concepts’ AFT-NH Calls on Governor to Demand State Education Commissioner Step Down CONCORD, N.H.—Statement by AFT-New Hampshire President Deb Howes on state Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut’s webpage for parents to file complaints against teachers who allegedly teach lessons that discriminate, under the Right to Freedom from Discrimination in Public Workplaces and Education law: “It was bad enough that the law tried to find a problem that doesn’t exist—no teacher in New Hampshire teaches that any group is inherently superior or inferior to another. That false flag has now been made worse with Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut launching a webpage to encourage parents to file complaints against teachers who allegedly teach so-called divisive concepts. Totally innocent teachers could lose their teaching license over claims that are not backed up by any evidence. Edelblut has declared a war on teachers, a war that the overwhelming majority of N.H. parents will find repulsive. “AFT-NH calls on Gov. Chris Sununu to demand that Edelblut step down over his outrageous, obviously politically motivated, harmful effort. MORE

AFT-NH President Deb Howes' Testimony on Voucher Rules

We write to you today to urge adopting strict rules around the so-called education freedom accounts to ensure that taxpayer money used for this program is actually spent to further a student’s education and not just to line the pockets of the scholarship organization or to be used for things that would not otherwise qualify as an educational expense. MORE

AFT-NH President Deb Howes Testimony on Voucher Rules

New Hampshire State Board of Education

101 Pleasant St.

Concord, NH 03301

Dear Members of the State Board of Education,

I am writing to you today to urge you to allow local school administrators and school boards to continue the practice of using distance learning for short periods of time when local conditions warrant while still counting these as instructional days.

Limiting the use of distance learning to inclement weather only ignores the reality that sometimes conditions arise that make it unworkable to open and staff the school, properly supervise the students and provide meaningful

CONCORD, N.H.— Yesterday the Justice Department announced that it will create specialized training and guidance for local school boards and school administrators. This training will “help school board members and other potential victims understand the type of behavior that constitutes threats, how to report threatening conduct to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, and how to capture and preserve evidence of threatening conduct to aid in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes.” MORE

Want In-School Learning to Last? Wear Masks and Get Vaccinated by AFT-NH President Deb Howes

There was near-universal consensus that virtual learning or a hybrid of in-school and remote learning was chaotic and suboptimal, at best. Some kids had trouble accessing classes online, many others had trouble concentrating on lessons for hours on the computer, while other students simply gave up and basically lost a year of learning. We really don’t want to go back to those bad old days.

AFT-NH President Deb Howes' Statement on Approval of Rules for School Voucher Program

Concord, NH --- AFT-NH President Deb Howes Released the Following Statement on Approval of Rules for School Voucher Program

"Today's rules committee meeting in Concord raised more questions than it answered, but disappointingly the Joint Legislative Committee let the temporary rules on school vouchers move forward despite questions about conflicts with existing laws on student safety, and data privacy as well as the inadequate examination of the fiscal impact of the program. Frank Edelblut and the Republican-led legislature continue to turn a blind eye to the real issues this program raises

CONCORD, NH—Statement by AFT-New Hampshire President Deb Howes on the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

AFT-NH is saddened to hear of the loss today of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, a stalwart fighter for the rights of working people everywhere. Our condolences go out to his family, as well as to the members of the organization he led. He was a strong believer that solidarity amongst working people of all kinds could make changes for the better in our country. He will be missed.

Press Release by AFT-NH President Doug Ley- Governor’s School Announcement Shortsighted, Light on Facts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-April 1, 2021

Governor’s School Announcement Shortsighted, Light on Facts

CONCORD, N.H.— Today in the Governor’s press conference he announced that all schools would be open five days week starting April 19^th. AFT-NH President Doug Ley issued the following statement: