Support of HB 61; to Repeal the Divisive Concepts Law January 12, 2023 9:30am -State House
Statement:
Dear House Education Committee,
As a former career high school teacher, former vice president of secondary education for my local, former vice president with AFT MA, and as a sitting schoolboard member with Kearsarge Regional School District, I am writing in complete support of House Bill 61 to repeal the Divisive Concepts law.
The Divisive Concepts law censors learning by prohibiting facts of history and societal realities from being discussed in schools. In doing so, this law creates a narrow and inaccurate understanding of past and present social and civic realties that are odds with 21st century learning. Where the Divisive Concepts law applies, it 1. narrows or eliminates student connections between content and their personal experiences and/or the real world; 2. eliminates research and intellectual exploration of topics that would produce facts that fall under the Divisive Concepts law; and 3. narrows higher order thinking and the application of Blooms Taxonomy in that students are not able to explore, synthesize, and apply critical thinking skills on topics that fall under the Divisive Concepts law but are, nonetheless, extremely relevant in academia and in life.
In passing HB 61 and repealing the Divisive Concepts law, NH students and teachers will be able to engage with schoolboard approved curricula in safe learning environments. When students and teachers feel safe, they feel comfortable taking academic risks that promote and expand learning. Moreover, teachers will be able to develop lessons designed for inclusion so that each student may find in his or her learning experience personal connections to truth- both past and present. It is through access to accurate, unbiased, uncensored, age/developmentally appropriate content, and in with purposeful scaffolding of that content through the grade levels, that students learn to become critical, independent thinkers.
Lastly, in repealing the Divisive Concepts law, you will be ensuring that our students have access to the same educational skills, concepts, and experiences that make them competitive and educationally on-par with their peer groups around the country. With unabridged access to appropriate and factual educational content and experiences, our students will have the requisite knowledge and skills to succeed in colleges, the trades, job markets, and in society.
I implore you to pass HB 61. Our students’ futures depend on it.
Opposition to HB 103; A Bill to Narrow Schoolboard Member Eligibility
Statement:
January 9, 2023
Dear House Education Committee,
As a former career high school teacher, former vice president of secondary education for my local, former vice president with AFT MA, and as a sitting schoolboard member with Kearsarge Regional School District, I am writing in complete opposition to HB103.
HB103, if passed, would limit experienced, invested community members from serving their communities at full/multiple capacity.
Further, narrowing the pool of civil servant candidates for the reasons proposed in HB 103 eliminates the rights of voters to choose, for elected offices, those they believe are best suited to represent them in more than one capacity.
Lastly, excluding candidates from a schoolboard race based on the relationships noted in HB103 disqualifies committed community members from serving the only school districts they are otherwise eligible to serve and are of greatest import to them.
The proposed limits placed upon schoolboards via HB 103 are counter to representative government, dangerous to democracy, and interferes with voting rights. I implore you to vote NO on HB 103 and let the people decide who is and is not qualified to serve on their schoolbaords.
Thank you,
Kristen Schultz
Donor for South Newbury Union Church
Community resources are not only important for what they provide to those who need some extra support, they also help unite the community.
The South Newbury Union Church is a community based resource and my husband, Steve, and I are monthly donors for the food pantry and the Friendship House expansion.
Please visit their website for more information: https://www.southnewburyunionchurch.org/