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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1st Amendment Questions
Donna Green, president of the School District Governance Association of NH, said she’s seen multiple instances of school boards writing unconstitutional ethics policies, including provisions that members cannot speak negatively against board actions – even if they...
Education Forum Hosted by Governance Association
Donna Green, a Sandown resident and member of the Timberlane Regional School District Board, is President, of the School District Governance Association of New Hampshire. This association is dedicated to focusing on issues that school district officials should be...
Edelblut Speaks to SDGANH
Edelblut and his message were right on target. Given that the School District Governance Association of New Hampshire is an association of current and past school district elected officials dedicated to mutual support and information sharing with the mission of...
Making Collective Bargaining Negotiations Public
By Donna Green Published by the Union Leader on Mar 15, 2017 Salaries and benefits are the biggest expenses in public education. They are also the biggest drivers for the continually increasing costs of running our schools with fewer and fewer students. In my school...
Panel to discuss Right-to-Know law at Loeb School
The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and New England First Amendment Coalition will present a discussion next month on New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law. Read more
Another View — Donna Green: NH’s education crisis isn’t about money
We hope to bring back local control to education and in doing so improve both budgeting and education. Read more
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.