School District Governance Association of New Hampshire
Giving voters a voice by empowering elected school district officials to reclaim control over budgets and curriculum.
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Latest News and Announcements
Open and transparent government meetings during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Right to Know NH (RTKNH) sponsored an online meeting titled Open and transparent government meetings during the Covid-19 Pandemic on Wednesday, December 16. The one-hour Zoom meeting included an overview of online meeting requirements which meet the requirements...
Important Legislative Initiatives by SDGA
Making Collective Bargaining Public The SDGA board has agreed to submit draft legislation that would require public entities to negotiate collective agreements in public, and to require draft collective agreement contracts to be public once presented to both parties. ...
November 10 Webinar: Data Mining on the DOE Website
Would You Like to Know How Your School District Compares to Others? Board decisions are frequently made in an information vacuum. When your superintendent wants to hire new staff, do you know how your current staff to student ratio compares to others? Do you know how...
SDGA’s Pig Roast Fundraiser a Succulent Success!
Our second fundraiser was once again a great success with good attendance, great food and fabulous surroundings! Thanks to all who supported us on August 2. Our member, Norm Silber opened his stunning mountain home in Gilford to our guests who included school board...
October 10: Webinar with Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut on Issues in Reopening
Commissioner Edelblut will join us to speak about issues that have arisen in reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. What models are districts using? How is instruction for students with IEPs working in these alternate models? How widespread is the adoption of...
September 19 Seminar Provides An Action Item Checklist for Budget Season
School district budgets are vast but they shouldn't be obscure or overwhelming. With a simple, time-ordered checklist of necessary information, you will be able to analyze your budget with far greater insight. Attend this seminar by Hooksett School Board...
Discover Your Power
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SDGA?
The School District Governance Association of
New Hampshire (SDGA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help members of school boards and budget committees discover their powers so they can effectively assert their lawful authority and be responsible to their electorate.
What does SDGA do?
SDGA Members are committed to:
- Helping school board and budget committee members discover their legal roles and responsibilities
- Publicizing and communicating best practices in governance and budgeting
- Formulating model school district policies so boards will have an independent, alternative resource
- Proposing and monitoring legislation that supports local control in education and openness in administration
Who can join SDGA?
Anyone who supports our mission. The core of our membership includes past or present elected or appointed local officials who have or have had fiduciary responsibility for a New Hampshire school district budget. We also encourage parents, taxpayers and others to join.
To be accepted as a member, you must be sponsored by a current SDGA member, get a two-thirds majority vote of the SDGA Board, and pay dues.
Dues are $20 per year, non-prorated, payable January 1st. Lifetime memberships are $200.
How can SDGA help you?
SDGA offers seminars on a range of topics related to governance: budgets, understanding of curricular and assessment issues, clarifying special education laws and so on.
We have begun to provide model policies that clarify school board and administrative roles.
Our members can offer their vast experience in many areas.
How can YOU get involved?
- Attend a seminar.
- Come to a meeting. The SDGA Board meets on the first Saturday of the month. Meetings are open to members and interested parties: there are always lively discussions.
- Join a committee or a project and help SDGA provide needed resources.
- Invite a friend to join a committee or attend a seminar.
- Donate time or money. SDGA runs on a
shoestring and every little bit helps.