School District Governance Association of New Hampshire
Giving voters a voice by empowering elected school district officials to reclaim control over budgets and curriculum.
Pledge for School District Candidates and Elected Officials
We recommend that voters call on school district candidates and elected officials to embrace this pledge: I, _________________________, PLEDGE TO THE VOTERS OF ____________________________ THAT I WILL DO MY UTMOST AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO 1) Promote education that cultivates in our children a profound respect for our nation's founding principles and the U.S. and New Hampshire Constitutions; 2) Promote an academic program that teaches that all people are created equal and have equal rights and responsibilities under the law; 3) Prevent school faculty and staff from politicizing education, while respecting the free speech of individuals...
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News and Announcements
Department of Education seeking public input on proposed changes to Ed 306 Administrative Rules – Outstanding commentary by Ian Underwood
Ed 306 is the set of Admin Rules which establishes minimum standards for an approved public school in the state of New Hampshire, and the Department is currently seeking public input on changes to those rules. Ian Underwood has published an open letter to the...
Announcing Consolidated NH State Proficiency / Achievement Results 2009-2023
The School District Governance Association of New Hampshire is happy to announce that we have delivered an important new feature on our web site bringing value to anybody working to improve public education in this state. Each spring, students across the state write...
Announcing Eric Pauer as SDGANH President
The School District Governance Association of New Hampshire is happy to announce that Eric Pauer has assumed the leadership of the SDGANH. A professional engineer, Eric brings a great deal of leadership experience from his 30 years of part-time service as a Colonel in...
Latest Events
Webinar: Petitioned Warrant Articles to Improve Your School District
November 8, 2023, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Did you know that citizens can place warrant articles on the school district warrant for annual or special meetings? The warrants do not need to be limited only to those put forth by the school board. Citizen petition warrant...
Webinar: What is the SB2 Form of School District Meeting?
December 12, 2023, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM School districts in NH can use the traditional form of meeting or the SB2 form of meeting, also called "Official Ballot Referenda" (RSA 40:13). Both types of meetings share many similarities but also have distinct differences, with...
Webinar: ABCs of School Boards 2024
January 10, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Jody Underwood, Ph.D., long-serving member of the Croydon School Board, will explain the structure of school districts and the basic responsibilities of school board members. This introduction is intended for those thinking about...
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.