Connect with us

New Hampshire

School spending critics adopt new target: high administrator pay • New Hampshire Bulletin

Published

on

School spending critics adopt new target: high administrator pay • New Hampshire Bulletin


For years, teacher pay in New Hampshire has remained low, with new teachers facing average salaries of $41,590. And for years, Democrats, teachers unions, and other advocates have urged increased state investment in public schools to direct money to teacher salaries. 

This year, Republicans are raising their own concerns about low teacher salaries. But conservatives see a different culprit: administrator pay. School districts are spending too much of the money they do receive on school administrators, Republicans argue, and should reduce that spending and direct it to teachers instead. 

Starting in the 2026 town meeting season, a new law will require that school districts provide salary data to their residents every year. Republicans hope it will inspire residents to push for school budget changes at the local level.

Signed by Gov. Chris Sununu this month, the law, passed under House Bill 1265 and known as the Students First Act, requires school districts to produce four charts at least a week before their annual budget meetings in March. The list includes three line charts: one to show the average teacher salary over the past 10 years; another to show the average administrator’s salary over the same period; and a third to indicate the annual cost per pupil at that district over the same time period.

Advertisement

The fourth item is a chart showing the salaries of the top four highest-paid administrators in the school district. 

To critics of school spending, the charts – which must be presented by the school district without additional context or commentary – will help town residents more clearly see any discrepancies in teacher and administrator pay for themselves. But the bill also seeks to highlight the pay of “directors or coordinators of diversity, equity, and inclusion”; if a school district employs administrators with those roles, they must include them in their calculations of administrative pay, the new law states.

The legislation is one of a handful of bills signed by Sununu and pushed for by Republicans that strengthen fiscal oversight for schools.

House Bill 1195 allows voters in multi-town school administrative units to vote to adopt different ways to apportion budgets among towns. And Senate Bill 383 creates a specific process for voters to adopt school district tax caps – and requires that those tax caps rise with inflation, and not due to student enrollment increases.

Together, the bills seek to address what Republicans are increasingly calling a problem in New Hampshire: school budgets that increase as average school enrollment drops. Democrats argue that those increases are due to increasing costs for schools and a high demand for teachers, and note that many New Hampshire schools in “property poor” towns are struggling to maintain staff and programs. But Republicans say they are indicators that school budgets can be cut.

Advertisement

And conservatives have zeroed in on school administrator pay.

Data released by the state Department of Education in January indicates that superintendents make an average of $124,777 per year; at the high end, the Oyster River superintendent made $200,357, according to the department.

The average teacher salary in New Hampshire in the 2023-2024 school year is $67,096.40, according to separate numbers from the department.

Further data suggests Massachusetts pays its teachers more than New Hampshire, despite the states spending similar amounts per student in schools. Massachusetts spends an average of $23,941 per student, the sixth highest in the country, according to a 2024 national survey conducted by the National Education Association, a teachers union. New Hampshire spends $21,082, the seventh highest. But the average teacher salary in the Bay State is $92,307 – about $25,000 more than New Hampshire’s, the survey shows. 

Rep. Kristin Noble, a Bedford Republican, cited those numbers to argue that Massachusetts school districts are devoting a higher share of their budgets to teacher pay than districts in New Hampshire. 

Advertisement

“These administrators are not just profiting from taxpayers; they are profiting on the backs of teachers,” Noble said in a speech on the House floor.

Representatives of New Hampshire school boards and administrators say the administrative pay in New Hampshire is justified – and not out of the ordinary. 

Mark MacLean, the executive director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association and the former superintendent of the Merrimack Valley School District in Penacook, said administrators make up a smaller proportion of overall school staff than other industries, such as health care.

School district administration, MacLean said in an interview, is “highly nuanced.” New laws and regulations from the Legislature and the State Board of Education can increase strain on superintendents and assistant superintendents and drive some districts to add more positions. The increasing needs of students after COVID – including efforts to address mental health problems and learning loss – have required many schools to launch entirely new programs, which can also increase staff, MacLean added.

“My experience is that school administrators work 365 days a year, all year round, to make sure that they’re serving the needs of their communities and their districts and their students first,” MacLean said.

Advertisement

Barrett Christina, the executive director of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, noted that teacher pay and administrative pay could differ in part because they are set by different processes at different times of the year.

Teacher pay is negotiated by teachers unions during collective bargaining, which typically takes place in the fall and early winter each school year. That process determines a contract with salaries for the following school year, and the school board then incorporates the contract into their budget process through the winter. 

Administrator pay, meanwhile, is negotiated directly between the prospective candidate for the job and the school board. Those negotiations occur whenever a new person comes into the role, and without direct regard to the collective bargaining contracts, Christina noted.

Competition for talent – particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic – gives candidates for superintendent the bargaining power to negotiate higher pay and benefits, Christina noted. 

But advocates on the right say school boards could devote more to teacher pay and less to administrators and are deliberately choosing not to.

Advertisement

“Our school system exploits the real crisis of low teacher pay to get taxpayers to keep forking over more money,” said Ian Huyett, associate director at the conservative advocacy organization Cornerstone, in an email. “But even though taxpayers keep agreeing to these increases, none of it has gone to teachers in twenty years. Instead, we get this larger, better-paid, and more powerful class of school administrators at multiple levels.”

Cornerstone heavily advocated for the Students First Act; an earlier version, under Senate Bill 219, would have barred school districts from hiring new assistant superintendents unless the district also paid teachers according to a salary floor, set at four times the average cost per pupil – or $84,328 on average in 2024.

HB 1265 does not take effect until July 2025, meaning the charts will not need to be released until one week before annual school meetings in spring 2025. But Huyett said Cornerstone hopes the charts can change the conversation around school funding and teacher pay.

“If voters see these charts in the local grocery store and demand change, we can offer teachers a more competitive salary while stabilizing out-of-control spending at the same time,” he said.

“We also hope to show conservatives that teachers are not really the archenemy. The Republican activist class has this tendency to say ‘it’s good (that) teachers are poor’ and bash them for getting summer vacation. This is tone-deaf and alienates normal independents, who like some of their kids’ teachers, and diverts attention from this huge, underlying fraud in education spending.”

Advertisement

To MacLean, the concerns around administrative pay are overblown; schools face budgetary strains that go well beyond the size of the superintendent’s office. 

​​”I don’t think that there’s bloat, but I think that you can make numbers and percentages – without digging into the details – say essentially anything you want,” MacLean said. 

But he said the new law would force school boards – and administrators – to communicate to their voters about why the budgets and funding are important. 

Christina agreed. 

“Whether or not it’s administrative load or any line item in the budget, the school board has to be able to justify to the voters that expense. Why are we spending money on this many administrators? Why are we spending money on a new football field? Why are we spending money on any number of things?”

Advertisement



Source link

New Hampshire

Pakistan hosts diplomatic discussions on ending war

Published

on

Pakistan hosts diplomatic discussions on ending war


Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad today in an attempt to come up with a plan to de-escalate the Iran war.

The meeting comes as several thousand more U.S. troops arrived in the region and after another group got involved in the expanding conflict: Yemen’s Houthis.

The Iran-backed Houthis launched missiles towards Israel, and there’s concern their involvement could threaten another vital global shipping lane in the Red Sea.

Here are more updates on day 30 of the Iran war.

Advertisement

Diplomacy Push in Pakistan

The four foreign ministers from regional powers will meet in Islamabad today and Monday for a push towards diplomacy to end the war.

In a statement ahead of the meeting, the Egyptian government said: “Discussions are expected to focus on recent developments related to regional military escalation and ongoing diplomatic efforts to contain tensions and promote de-escalation.”

“The talks come amid heightened concerns about regional stability, with participating countries seeking to coordinate their stances and support political solutions to emerging crises,” it added.

Whether whatever consensus the countries known as “the quad” come up with will be accepted by the US, Israel, and Iran is another question.

Pakistan has emerged as a possible peace-broker in the conflict, passing messages between the U.S. and Tehran. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Saturday that “dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”

Advertisement

Dar also welcomed the fact Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistan-flagged ships – or two a day – through the Strait of Hormuz.

Houthis enter war

Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen launched the first missile they have fired since the war began toward Israel on Saturday. Israel’s military successfully intercepted it but the Houthis’ attack opens another front in a war that has now moved into its second month.

Up until Saturday’s missile launch the Houthis had stayed out of this war. But a Houthi spokesman said attacks will continue until “the aggression on all resistance fronts stops.”

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AP

/

Advertisement

AP

In this photo released by the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, left, meets with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The Yemen-based rebels were active during Israel’s war in Gaza, firing on cargo ships in the Red Sea and disrupting global commercial traffic.

With Iran essentially blockading the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global oil prices, there are concerns that if the Houthis start attacking ships in the Red Sea again global shipping will be even more disrupted.

Iran also hit multiple sites around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Saturday and Israel’s military says Iran is increasingly using cluster bombs.

Designed to detonate at high altitude the munition disperses dozens of smaller bombs that are more challenging for Israel’s multi-layered air defense system to intercept and can cause damage over a wider area.

Advertisement

Dozens of countries have signed onto a cluster munitions treaty banning the weapons – except Iran, Israel and the U.S.

Iran threatens U.S. universities in region

Iranian authorities and residents say more airstrikes hit them overnight. Social media videos from across Iran showed strikes hitting all over the country.

Israel’s military said it had completed what it called a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting weapons production and storage sites.

Iran claims U.S.-Israeli strikes hit a Tehran university over the weekend and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened American university campuses in the Middle East in retaliation.

“We advise all employees, professors, and students of American universities in the region and residents of their surrounding areas” to stay a kilometer away from campuses, the statement, carried by Iranian media, said.

Advertisement

Several US universities have campuses in the Gulf, including New York University in the United Arab Emirates and Texas A&M University, among others, in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to fire drones and missiles at Gulf countries, with Kuwait saying it was intercepting missile and drone attacks early Sunday. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed ten drones.

Iran also claimed it had attacked two major aluminium sites in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Emirates Global Aluminium confirmed an Iranian attack wounded several and caused significant damage to its plant.

U.S. Troops injured, more arrive

At least 15 U.S. service members were wounded Friday in an Iranian strike on a Saudi air base that hosts American troops, according to the Associated Press, including at least five in serious condition. The missile and drone strikes targeted Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base, located outside the capital Riyadh.

A first responder assists an injured boy following a strike that hit a residential building amid the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 28, 2026.
A first responder assists an injured boy following a strike that hit a residential building amid the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Iran has targeted U.S. service members at bases throughout the region since the war began a month ago, in retaliation for the U.S. attacks and seeking to drive troops out of the region. Overall, the Pentagon has put the U.S. casualty toll at 13 killed and more than 300 injured.

Advertisement

On Saturday, troops from the Japan-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, made up of around 3,500 sailors and Marines, arrived in the Middle East, according to U.S. Central Command.

The U.S. military will not say where and how they might be deployed. Thousands more soldiers from the U.S. military’s 82nd Airborne Division are also expected to be deployed.

Journalists killed in Lebanon

Three Lebanese journalists covering the Israeli invasion of the country’s south were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Jezzine.

Women hold posters showing Al-Mayadeen TV reporter Fatima Ftouni, left, and, in another poster, Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoeib, center, and cameraman Ali Ftouni during their funeral at a temporary cemetery in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Women hold posters showing Al-Mayadeen TV reporter Fatima Ftouni, left, and, in another poster, Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoeib, center, and cameraman Ali Ftouni during their funeral at a temporary cemetery in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, March 29, 2026.

One of them worked for a TV channel affiliated with Hezbollah and Israel accuses him of being a militant rather than a journalist – but has not provided evidence. The journalist Israel says it targeted was Ali Shaeb, a veteran TV correspondent and household name in Lebanon. After killing him, Israel’s military issued a statement accusing him of exposing the locations of Israeli troops.

The other two journalists killed were siblings, TV correspondent Fatima Ftouni and her cameraman brother, Mohammed Ftouni. Afterward their father appeared on TV, saying he was proud of his children.

Advertisement

All three had been covering Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon.

Lebanese officials called the attack a flagrant violation of international law, and said they’re complaining to the UN Security Council. Hundreds of fellow journalists marched at a protest vigil in Lebanon’s capital.

The three journalists were among at least 47 people killed Saturday in Israeli attacks, according to Lebanese health officials.

Nine of those killed were paramedics, which the head of the World Health Organization called “a tragedy,” noting health workers are protected under international law.

Residents inspect their home after it was struck by an Iranian missile in Eshtaol, central Israel, Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Residents inspect their home after it was struck by an Iranian missile in Eshtaol, central Israel, Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Israel has intensified its attacks across Lebanon, mostly in the South, where Israeli ground troops are moving northward to try to oust Hezbollah militants.

Advertisement

Another Israeli soldier was also killed in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing his condolences on X over the weekend.

Developments in Syria, Iraq

The war is spreading to more parts of the Middle East. On Sunday, Syria said it had intercepted a drone strike from Iraq targeting a U.S. military base. Pro-Iran Iraqi groups have claimed responsibility for some attacks on US interests.

Separately, the Syrian and UAE governments condemned an attack targeting the residence of the Kurdish region’s president Nechirvan Barzani.

French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack saying: “The sovereignty of Iraq, and of Kurdistan within it, is essential to regional stability. Everything must be done to prevent Iraq from being drawn into the ongoing escalation.”

On Sunday, the Israeli army said it had launched its “first” attack into Lebanon from Syria.

Advertisement

Jane Arraf in Amman, Emily Feng in Van, Turkey, Lauren Frayer in Jezzine, Lebanon, Carrie Khan in Tel Aviv, and Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 NPR





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

New Hampshire

Abandoned Camper Fire On South Main Street Knocked Down By Concord Fire And Rescue Teams

Published

on

Abandoned Camper Fire On South Main Street Knocked Down By Concord Fire And Rescue Teams


CONCORD, NH — The Concord Fire Department is investigating the cause of a camper fire on South Main Street late Friday night.

Around 11:30 p.m., fire and rescue teams were sent to South Main Street, not far from Langdon Avenue, for a report of a camper on fire. Dispatch said it was unknown if anyone was inside or if the camper was abandoned.

“We have a couple of calls on it,” a dispatcher said. “It’s fully involved.”

A few minutes later, the fire was confirmed, and firefighters worked to extinguish it. The battalion commander confirmed no one was inside, and it appeared to be abandoned. Dispatch said, if they recalled correctly, the camper had been there for “quite a while.”

Advertisement

News 603 posted videos from the scene on Facebook here:

And here:

The bulk of the fire was knocked down after about 20 minutes, with firefighters overhauling and dealing with “the hot spots.”

Advertisement

Not long after the overhaul update, firefighters were sent to a business on South Main Street, near the camper fire, in response to a report of an alarm activation.

After investigating, there did not appear to be an activation at the business, a commander said. Later, dispatch said the alarm appeared to restore itself automatically. Firefighters cleared the scene of the business alarm just after midnight on Saturday.





Source link

Continue Reading

New Hampshire

New Hampshire may see rare Atlas V rocket launch. Here’s when to look

Published

on

New Hampshire may see rare Atlas V rocket launch. Here’s when to look


A 20-story tall, 1.3 million-pound Atlas V rocket will blast off from Florida this weekend, and Granite Staters waking up very early might able to see it if the clouds in the sky don’t cover it.

Teams with United Launch Alliance are prepping for the Atlas V rocket launch, the fifth Amazon Leo constellation mission. Liftoff is planned at 3:53 a.m. ET Sunday, March 29, 2026, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Pending weather conditions and cloud cover, the Atlas V-Amazon Leo predawn launch could be visible from Florida to New England, according to ULA. That is, if their city falls on the ULA Atlas V rocket launch visibility map (see below), and if they’re awake at the time of liftoff.

Advertisement

The Atlas V rocket will be equipped with five solid rocket boosters to launch the next batch of Amazon Leo broadband satellites (previously referred to as Project Kuiper) into low-Earth orbit, giving a great show to those watching.

However, weather could disrupt viewing, as the New Hampshire area on the visibility map is set for isolated snow showers before 10 p.m. on Saturday night as well as partly cloudy skies, the National Weather Service said.

Here’s what to know about ULA Atlas V rocket launch visibility from New Hampshire.

When will ULA Atlas V launch?

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 29. The 29-minute launch window will begin at 3:53 a.m.

Advertisement

The visibility map provided by ULA shows about when and where your best chances are to see the rocket as it streaks northeasterly into space.

Will New Hampshire be able to see the ULA Atlas V launch

New Hampshire, specifically just outside Concord, New Hampshire, falls in the semi-outer periphery of the visibility area for the ULA Atlas V rocket launch, according to ULA’s visibility map.

Estimated visibility will occur at launch +330 seconds, or about five minutes and 30 seconds, following the launch in Florida. However, viewing chances depend on weather conditions, and Concord, New Hampshire is currently set for isolated snow showers before 10 p.m. and then partly cloudy skies on Saturday night into Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. This might block visibility, as clear skies are essential for best views.

Advertisement

What is ULA Atlas V?

United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket is a spacecraft with five solid rocket boosters that will send a batch of Amazon Leo broadband satellites into outer space, to low-Earth orbit.

How can you follow along live?

FLORIDA TODAY will offer live coverage via a live webcast with live tweets and updates for the rocket launch.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending