Consolidates the authority and duties of school administrative units, gives school boards power over curriculum development and implementation, and makes school superintendents elected officials whose compensation is set by county conventions.
consolidating school administrative units and making school superintendents jobs an elected position.
HB765 would consolidate school administrative units and make school superintendent positions elected rather than appointed. The overwhelming majority of submitters oppose the bill, arguing that electing superintendents would replace a qualifications-based hiring process with a popularity contest and undermine local control and educational expertise, while a small number of supporters argue election would make school leadership and curriculum decisions more directly accountable to the public.
A small number of supporters argue that making the superintendent position elected would make school leadership directly accountable to the people whose children attend the schools, rather than to an appointing board.
“This bill will make school superintendents elected officials, which means that they will be chosen by and for the People of New Hampshire; the same People whose children are attending these schools.”
— James Gardner, Keene · #447169 — read full submission →
“Being an elected would not be a bad thing they need give a reason that they want the job.”
— Abigail Bellemore, Chester · #443434 — read full submission →
Supporters argue the bill appropriately moves curriculum development authority to school boards and parents at the local level, increasing local accountability for curriculum choices.
“This bill will empower the community and school boards to develop, evaluate, and implement school curriculum.”
— James Gardner, Keene · #447169 — read full submission →
“I support placing control of school curricula more solidly in the hands of parents at the most local level possible - and greater accountability for those who oversee the curriculum choices”
— Kate Worden Buckner, Amherst · #411057 — read full submission →
The dominant objection is that superintendents require professional credentials and experience that an election, which risks favoring popularity or political skill over competence, cannot guarantee.
“Superintendents should be selected based on expertise, experience, and qualifications—not through a popularity contest. Hiring decisions should be made by professionals who understand the complexities of education administration”
— Sara Baez, Somersworth · #408318 — read full submission →
“I strongly oppose the election of the superintendent. Let’s strive for excellence in our communities and schools and appoint the best people for the role, not the most popular.”
— Erin Gregg, Windham · #440755 — read full submission →
“An elected superintendent means that a popular individual who may not be qualified - and must be a resident of the town - could be chosen.”
— Kate Ogden, Windham · #442206 — read full submission →
Many submitters point out that superintendents are already hired and overseen by locally elected school boards, so a direct election of the superintendent is redundant and would undercut that existing check.
“NH already faces a huge struggle in recruiting qualified superintendents, who *already* report to an elected board. Forcing potential candidates to run for election not only will shrink the pool of applicants even further”
— Maureen Dunn, Concord · #424639 — read full submission →
“Currently the Superintendent is hired by the School Board. This gives the School Board leverage to reprimand, support, acknowledge, and fire the Superintendent. If the Superintendent is elected, then who is he/she responsible to?”
— LINDA MOREHOUSE, Antrim · #445750 — read full submission →
“Nobody thinks that shareholders of a corporation should directly elect the CEO. That is the role of the board of directors, who are elected by shareholders who place their trust in the directors”
— Daniel Smith, Newmarket · #408411 — read full submission →
Some submitters object to consolidating school administrative units, arguing it removes decision-making from individual communities and dilutes the ability of local districts to address their own needs.
“Consolidating school superintendents goes against the NH principal of local control.”
— Patricia Anastasia, Londonderry · #434868 — read full submission →
“NHSBA is opposed to this bill based on it's impacts on local control and the role of locally elected school board members.”
— Becky Wilson, Concord · #446804 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that shifting curriculum development and evaluation authority to school boards, who are not required to have education expertise, would lower educational quality; some also note school boards already hold this authority, making the provision redundant.
“This bill would strip curriculum decisions away from trained, qualified educators and put them in the hands of elected officials—many of whom may have no background in education and could bring political agendas”
— Lisa St. Hilaire, Londonderry · #440023 — read full submission →
“School boards already develop, evaluate, and implement curriculum, so that part of the bill is redundant.”
— Willa Vance, Manchester · #431478 — read full submission →
A number of submissions characterize the bill as part of a broader partisan effort to undermine or dismantle public education rather than a good-faith reform.
“What it absolutely does is push this Republican-led Fascist agenda. I will never be ok with this and this House should be ashamed.”
— Stacy Peake, Bedford · #423957 — read full submission →
“The GOP should be ashamed at how they are trying to dismantle NH’s public education system.”
— Kristin Mandaglio, Londonderry · #445176 — read full submission →
A few submissions raise logistical concerns about how a single elected superintendent could effectively run a consolidated district spanning many municipalities, including questions about accountability, office location, and transition timelines.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 20, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
The public does not know what’s best for schools. Let professionals do their jobs and continue to include parent input/advice in a responsible, logical way. You could lose so many good teachers with just one wrong fit. Our children deserve better than this. Our teachers deserve better than this. And our future superintendents deserve better than this.
I oppose this bill because I believe the local school board is in the best position to select a superintendent. Leaving it up to voters politicizes the process which I do not think is advisable.
I oppose this bill to make school superintendents an elected position.
We elect the School board who hire the Superintendent. And that’s the way it should be.
The superintendent is a very important position with most carrying a masters or doctorate of education. Making this an elected position would harm school districts by robbing them of a highly educated member of the education team. We need to strengthen education in our state and this bill would only harm the education system in NH.
I do not know why this bill is necessary for the efficient and effective functioning of our public schools. Why should a Superintendent suddenly become an elected official? It seems to me that there is a lot of time and energy being focused on the wrong areas. Property taxes are going up and up. That’s what constituents are concerned about. Stop wasting time on these inane bills and figure out how the state can adequately fund our schools.
Kids need a well rounded education regardless of what elected officials may think. We cannot risk losing funding for important subjects such as the one that are to be removed from requirements.
I object to politicizing our public schools. Each district should have ability to choose a superintendent based on merit vs political affiliation. Laurette Carlson Speech/Language Pathologist M.Ed., CCC/SLP Retired
I know I am late for this. I do not support it and I hope it was voted down.
I oppose this bill. We have a school board elected by the taxpayers, who represent our taxpayers. Informed school board members understand the needs of the school and enables them to choose a superintendent.
School superintendents should NOT be an elected official. This creates the possibility that someone without education experience, training and credentials could be leading our schools. We need strong schools with trained professionals.
Superintendents should be highly qualified educators who are hired based on their qualifications and ability to lead a school district. They should not be elected. The School Board is elected - that already is in place. A superintendent has many things to manage: curriculum, staff, students, budgets, etc. These extremely important things should not be left to the whims of an unqualified person.
School boards, the people that work in the district every day, are in the best position to choose superintendents. Such a matter does not need to become a political process put to the voters.
I oppose this bill- we need highly educated superintendents not random candidates with no background in education or youth development. Have you seen our school boards? They are not often made up of highly qualified individuals. We also need to let local communities manage their SAU office and its staff.
It appears that Mr. Cordell’s only purpose is to try and disrupt and tear down our education system. I am adamantly opposed in politicizing the superintendent position. I am also opposed with school board members running on party affiliation. It should not matter what your party is.
I strongly oppose this bill.
Superintendents must hold a certification and have the education to back the position. Elected a person with out these qualifications would be a disservice to the children of NH.
I strongly oppose this bill.
As a school board member, I know that hiring a superintendent is a time consuming, lengthy process. It belongs to the school board and not to voters. It is my job.
This bill will destroy the definition of an adequate education, eliminating art, music, technology, etc. and will pave the way for the state to provide even less support for public education, Children need to be educated in a variety of academic areas.
Replacing those with expert understanding of the educational needs of the students in New Hampshire with wanna-be's shows a complete disregard for supporting successful academic outcomes. Data from the USA and throughout the world show the direct correlation of professionals, their training, their commitment and their understanding to the student scores and their successes. Enough is enough, the reps are not representative of their constituents.
This position should be chosen by educators or school boards who are familiar with the specific needs of a district, not the general public.
This should be opposed as it could greatly diminish the quality of education in NH
Protect our public schools. They provide the base for our next generation.
It is clear to those who are paying attention to education policies being proposed by some members of the NH General Court, that public education is under attack- for political reasons, and at the expense of the children of NH. The last thing those of us elected to represent the best interests and wishes of our constituents should do, is support legislation that will harm our school districts and public education in general. School District Superintendents should absolutely NOT be 'elected.' Qualifications should be the priority consideration for individuals who serve as NH School District Superintendents, not the political party affiliation of a potential candidate. We must stop the politicization of public education. Thank you for your consideration. Please vote ITL on HB765.