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FIGHTING FOR A BETTER FUTURE

AFT-NH members across the state are fighting for a better future during this legislative session.

Statement from AFT-NH President Deb Howes on September Universal Voucher Data Released by NH DOE

“Universal school vouchers are turning out to be exactly what we said they would be:” said Deb Howes, President of AFT-NH. “They are a government handout to mostly well-off families to pay for private school tuition, homeschooling, summer camp or enrichment activities that families previously paid for on their own."

AFT-NH Testimony on Nomination of Caitlin Davis for NH Commissioner of Education

AFT-NH is looking forward to learning more about the nominee for Commissioner of Education Caitlin Davis and her view of how the commissioner should lead the Department of Education. Because of her extensive background, working diligently and successfully in various divisions within the NH DOE, and her reputation of fostering strong, cooperative working relationships with the Granite State’s public school districts, we feel she is a candidate uniquely suited to lead the department and support our public school educators and students in these difficult times.

2025 Legislative Session Recap

2025 Legislative Session Recap

It was a tremendously busy session for supporters of public education. There was a lot of bad, some good and some things that we will once again have to fight next year when the legislature comes back in January. Your work and advocacy mattered this year, as was proven again this week when Gov. Ayotte vetoed the book banning bill. There is no doubt that without your voices this year would have been even more harmful laws passed for our local neighborhood public schools. Looking back on the 2025 session we saw a lot of different bills that effect education pass

AFT-NH Statement on Governor Ayotte’s Veto of the Book Ban Bill

CONCORD, N.H.— Today, Governor Ayotte vetoed HB 324 which was the book banning bill. AFT-NH President Deb Howes issued the following statement:

“Today's veto of the book banning bill is a victory for Granite State public school students and their right to a robust public education. We thank Gov. Ayotte for vetoing this harmful bill and protecting the First Amendment right of students to access a wide variety of materials in their schools. This decision affirms the long-standing tradition of local control by elected school boards over policy making for our neighborhood public schools. They know

AFT-NH President Statement: Supreme Court Confirms New Hampshire is Failing Students, Demands Action

CONCORD, N.H.— Today, the New Hampshire Supreme Court released its opinion in Contoocook Valley Sch. Dist. v. State. The Court upheld the original Claremont Decision and upheld the recent ConVal ruling and its funding number given by Judge Ruoff last year, while not enforcing the funding immediately. AFT-NH President Deb Howes released the following statement:

AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin (June 27, 2025)

State Budget Approved

After more than a week of veto threats and infighting between Governor Ayotte and the Republican led House and Senate, a budget was finally passed this week. Even with the so-called Group II retirement fix and a fix in the funding for Manchester public schools, this budget leaves a lot to be desired.

It does nothing to fix the inadequate and unconstitutional state funding our local neighborhood public schools that leaves the robustness of a student’s public education dependent on the ability of the local property taxpayers to fill in gigantic gaps left by the state. In