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Should N.H.’s school choice program be open to everyone? – The Boston Globe

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Should N.H.’s school choice program be open to everyone? – The Boston Globe


Currently, only lower-income families earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible. That works out to about $112,525 for a family of four.

The first public hearing on House Bill 115, which has 10 Republican co-sponsors in the House, in addition to four Republican Senators, was held on Thursday. The bill would remove the household income criteria from eligibility requirements for the program.

“Proposals to expand the State’s over budget, unaccountable voucher program to more than $100 million per year are misguided and will only serve to further harm public school students by cutting into already limited State funds,” Zack Sheehan, executive director of the N.H. School Funding Fairness Project, said in a statement. “Heading into school budget season, I expect to hear a lot about rising costs associated with special education and the challenges of budgeting for those unpredictable costs. Meanwhile, the State barely makes a dent in fulfilling these mandated expenses, and was threatening to leave districts in the lurch for over $16 million in unreimbursed expenses.”

“The State is actively failing to fulfil its constitutional responsibility to adequately fund public education,” he said. “We should be focused on reducing property taxes by shifting more public school funding to the State, not expanding the voucher program.”

But the effort to open the program to more people has the support of Governor Kelly Ayotte.

During her inaugural speech last week, she promised to expand the program and make sure more families can put their children in the learning environment that is best for them.

“We strongly believe in public schools, but they don’t always fit for every child,” she said during a press conference Wednesday.

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Ayotte said education freedom accounts have successfully helped children reach their full potential in a variety of learning environments. And while she said she supports universal Education Freedom Accounts, the timing for enacting that change remains hazy.

“I’ll work with the legislature on that as the ultimate goal and what we do over this biennium, I think regardless of whether we get to universal or not, we’ll be expanding those opportunities,” she said.

Efforts to expand the program failed last year.

State revenues are lagging and Republicans have said they are looking at possible areas where they can cut spending. Expanding education freedom accounts wouldn’t be a negligible expense, according to analysis from Reaching Higher NH, a nonprofit education think tank.

The organization’s analysis found universal eligibility for education freedom accounts could cost over $100 million per year. In the 2024-2025 school year, the program cost about $26 million. As of Wednesday evening, 502 people had logged their support of the bill, while 2,061 opposed it through the legislature’s website.

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This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.


Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.





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27 Places People Want at Seacoast Landing After the Mall at Fox Run Closes

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27 Places People Want at Seacoast Landing After the Mall at Fox Run Closes


The Mall at Fox Run’s time is coming to a close on January 31, 2026. That’s just a fact, no matter how unfortunate it may be.

This staple Newington, New Hampshire, spot has served up decades of memories for many, including family trips, hanging out with friends, and simply enjoying the latest shopping finds.

But while change can be sad and hard, the area is getting a reset with what will become Seacoast Landing, which, according to Seacoast Online, will be a “revamped commercial hub that would include a big box store, small businesses and restaurants.”

Mall at Fox Run to Make Way for Seacoast Landing in Newington, New Hampshire

The Mall at Fox Run is not just closing, but the whole area will be demolished. It really is the end of an era.

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But where there once was an enclosed building with multiple stores, Atlantic Retail highlights that Seacoast Landing will be an “81 acre premier regional retail destination.” Meaning it will be multiple buildings to access, rather than just walking through to each one inside.

Red Post Realty even noted what’s proposed for the site, including multiple large anchor buildings, retail and office space, a medical building, pad sites, a new internal road network, and an outdoor pedestrian boulevard connecting Chick-fil-A to Texas.

Seacoast Online said that this massive project will reportedly cost north of $500 million.

What Stores and Restaurants Are at Seacoast Landing in Newington, New Hampshire?

The official announcements as to what places are coming to Seacoast Landing have not been made, but that will be coming soon. So keep an ear out.

Red Post Realty posted a Facebook video sharing a quick update on the project while also asking people what places they want to see come to Seacoast Landing.

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The Facebook video garnered hundreds of comments, and we’ve compiled a list of some of the top ones.

Just note that none of these suggestions are confirmed for Seacoast Landing. Red Post Realty even noted that there are NDAs in place, so anything you hear about is likely a rumor until official confirmation.

Let’s take a look and dream of what the next phase of Newington could maybe include!

27 Places People Want at Seacoast Landing as the Mall at Fox Run Closes in NH

Here are suggestions of what locals would like to see at Seacoast Landing after the Mall at Fox Run is demolished. These are not at all confirmed, but rather they are ideas of what people are hoping for.

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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READ MORE: 17 Nostalgic Memories of Fox Run Mall in New Hampshire That’ll Take You Back

Some of the favorites based on the comments were definitely places like The Cheesecake Factory, Costco, and IKEA.

Interestingly, some of the suggestions already have other locations in New Hampshire, but there were places mentioned that can’t be found anywhere in the Granite State.

Some of those spots include The Cheesecake Factory, The Disney Store, and The Rainforest Cafe.

What spots will actually wind up at the new Seacoast Landing remains to be seen, but it’s certainly fun to wish your favorite places make the cut. Oh, to dream.

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Remember When the Fox Run Mall in NH Had These 22 Stores?

Gallery Credit: Megan Murphy





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Manchester, NH native killed while in the line of duty working as an officer in Texas – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Manchester, NH native killed while in the line of duty working as an officer in Texas – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) – A New Hampshire community is mourning after a Manchester native, who recently became a police officer in Texas, was killed in the line of duty.

Elijah Garretson, 27, died Saturday in a shooting. He’s joined the force in Texas last year.

Garretson leaves behind a wife and a 5-year-old daughter.

In a statement, Manchester’s mayor said, “Elijah exemplified a lifetime of service, first as a U.S. Army veteran and later in law enforcement. His sacrifice is deeply felt here at home, and our prayers are with his family, loved ones, and fellow officers during this difficult time.”

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(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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East Rochester Library joins NH State Register of Historic Places

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East Rochester Library joins NH State Register of Historic Places


The East Rochester Library has been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, according to a community announcement.

John McLain, president of the East Rochester Library Association, reacted to the designation: “This is exciting news! The process of obtaining this status has been a long and difficult one, with hours upon hours of research and documentation by our volunteers.”

In an official letter, the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources congratulated the library association on the listing and recognized their efforts and the property’s significance.

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The division also expressed appreciation for the association’s stewardship and commitment to preserving an important part of New Hampshire’s heritage.

This story was created by Kimberly Green, KGreen@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.



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