For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS

RSA tit. XV, ch. 194-C
in effect

RSA 194-C:1 Status.

194-C:1. Status. I. All school administrative units existing on the effective date of this chapter shall continue in their present form unless modified in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. II. School administrative units legally organized shall be corporations, with power to sue and be sued, to hold and dispose of real and personal property for the establishment of facilities for administration and any instructional purposes, and to make necessary contracts in relation to any function of the corporation; provided, however, that such school administrative units shall not have the power to procure land, to construct or purchase buildings, to borrow money in order to purchase real estate, or to mortgage said real estate. Source. 1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.

RSA 194-C:2 Organization, Reorganization, Withdrawal, or Merger.

194-C:2. Organization, Reorganization, Withdrawal, or Merger. I. General Provisions. (a) Any school district pursuant to an article in the warrant for any annual or special meeting may vote to create a planning committee in the following manner: (1) The question shall be placed on the warrant of a special or annual school district meeting, which body shall have final authority to adopt the provision to create a planning committee. (2)(A) In districts without annual meetings, the legislative body of the school district shall consider and act upon the question in accordance with their current procedures. To the extent and if permitted by local ordinance, upon submission to the legislative body within 60 days of the legislative body's vote of a petition signed by 100 or by 2 percent, whichever is less, of the registered voters, the legislative body shall place the question on the official ballot for any regular election otherwise in accordance with their current procedures for passage of referenda. (B) The school district legislative body shall hold a public hearing on the question at least 15 days but not more than 30 days before the question is to be voted on. Notice of the hearing shall be posted in at least 2 public places in the municipality and published in media of general availability and usage at least 7 days before the hearing. (C) In the event that the referendum is nonbinding, the question shall be returned for reconsideration to the legislative body which shall have final authority to adopt the provision to create a planning committee. (D) In the event that the referendum is binding, the public vote shall be the final and binding authority to adopt the provision to create a planning committee. (3) The planning committee shall consist of the following members: (A) Two local school board members, appointed by the local school board. (B) One member of the financial committee having the statutory authority to make recommendations concerning school budgets, appointed by the financial committee. In communities with no such financial committee, the number of public members under subparagraph (a)(3)(C) shall be increased to 5. (C) Four public members representing the community at large, appointed by the school district moderator or, for districts without an annual meeting, the legislative body of the school district. (D) The superintendent, who shall be a nonvoting member of the committee. (4)(A) The first-named school board member shall call the first meeting which shall be no later than 30 days from the date of his or her appointment. All planning committee meetings shall comply with RSA 91-A. (B) At the first meeting, a chairperson shall be elected by the members. (C) A notice of all meetings of the planning committee shall be posted in all school districts in the existing school administrative unit and in any new school administrative unit which may be created as a result of organization, reorganization, or withdrawal. (D) All meetings shall allow time for public comment. (5) The members of the committee shall serve without pay for a term ending: (A) At the annual meeting of the district next following the creation of the committee, if the committee is created at an annual meeting; or (B) One year from the date of appointment, if the committee is created at a special meeting. (C) One year from the date of appointment, if appointed in districts without annual meetings. (6) Vacancies on the committee shall be filled by the appropriate appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term. (7) The district may appropriate money to meet the expenses of the committee at the meeting at which it is created or at any subsequent district meeting notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 32 or RSA 197:3, and such expenses may include the cost of publication and distribution of reports. (8) A planning committee shall act by a majority vote of its total membership. (b) If the planning committee chooses to recommend organization of, reorganization of, or withdrawal from a school administrative unit, it shall prepare a plan which complies with the requirements of this section. (1) Before final approval of a plan by the planning committee, it shall hold at least one public hearing on the plan within the proposed school administrative unit and shall give such public notice of the hearing at least 2 weeks before the hearing and in all affected school districts. (2) The plan for organization of, reorganization of, or withdrawal from a school administrative unit shall be submitted to the state board of education. (3) The plan shall be submitted to the voters in accordance with the procedures outlined in this section. (4) If the voters fail to vote in the affirmative by the 3/5 vote required, the school district may submit the plan to the voters at the next annual school district meeting. If the plan fails to receive the necessary 3/5 vote a second time, the school district shall not offer another warrant article seeking to create a planning committee for a period of 2 years after the date of the second vote by the district. (c) If the planning committee chooses not to recommend organization, reorganization, or withdrawal from a school administrative unit, that recommendation shall be submitted to the voters of the school district at the next annual school district meeting. (1) If a majority of voters present and voting vote in the affirmative, the recommendation shall be accepted. (2) If a majority of voters present and voting reject the recommendation, the vote shall represent a vote to create a new planning committee in accordance with RSA 194-C:2, II and that planning committee shall prepare a plan for organization, reorganization, or withdrawal from a school administrative unit which meets the requirements of this section. II. Organization. (a) The planning committee shall: (1) Study the advisability of establishing a school administrative unit in accordance with this chapter, its organization, operation, and control, and the advisability of constructing, maintaining, and operating a school or schools to serve the needs of such school administrative unit. (2) Estimate the construction and operating costs of operating such school or schools. (3) Investigate the methods of financing such school or schools, and any other matters pertaining to the organization and operation of a school administrative unit. (4) Prepare an educational and fiscal analysis of the impact on the school districts within the existing school administrative unit and on any new school administrative unit which may be created, and prepare a proposed plan for the disposition of any school administrative unit assets and liabilities. (5) Consult with the department of education regarding any unique issues and resolve such issues in a timely manner and submit a report or reports of its findings and recommendations to the several school districts within the existing school administrative unit. (b) If the planning committee recommends the organization of a school administrative unit, it shall prepare a plan to provide superintendent services which meet the requirements set forth in RSA 194-C:4 for the proposed school administrative unit, and a transition plan and timeline which includes consideration of transition budgets and staffing and is signed by at least a majority of the membership of the planning committee. (c) The planning committee shall submit a copy of the proposed plan to the several school districts within the existing school administrative unit and the school districts in any new school administrative unit which may be created as a result of organization, and shall hold at least one public hearing no less than 14 days prior to submission to the state board. (d) The state board of education shall review the proposed plan within 60 days of receipt to determine whether the plan complies with the requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4. If, in the opinion of the state board, all requirements have been met, it shall forward the plan to the school district clerk for a vote at a regular or special school district meeting. (e) If the state board of education determines that all requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4 have not been properly addressed, the deficiencies shall be noted and the plan shall be promptly returned for revision. When the plan is resubmitted, the state board of education shall promptly return the plan and make a recommendation for or against its adoption based on whether or not the plan complies with the requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4. This recommendation shall be reported to the legislative body of the district. The state board shall not have veto power over any plan once it is resubmitted to the state board by the planning committee. (f) The state board shall submit the organization plan to the school boards of the districts for acceptance by the districts as provided in subparagraph (c). Upon such submission, the state board shall cause the approved plan to be published once at the expense of the state in media of general availability and usage within the proposed school administrative unit. (g) Upon the receipt of written notice of the state board's recommendation of the plan, the plan shall be submitted for approval by the school districts under the procedures outlined in paragraph I of this section. The question shall be in substantially the following form: "Shall the school district accept the provisions of RSA 194-C providing for the organization of a school administrative unit involving school districts of __________ and __________ etc., in accordance with the provisions of the proposed plan?" Yes _________ No _________ (h) If 3/5 of the votes cast on the question in each district shall vote in the affirmative, the clerk of each district shall forthwith send to the state board a certified copy of the warrant, certificate of posting, evidence of publication, if required, and minutes of the meeting in the district. If the state board finds that 3/5 majority of the votes cast in each district meeting have voted in favor of the establishment of the school administrative unit, it shall issue its certificate to that effect; and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the lawful organization and formation of the school administrative unit as of the date of its issuance. III. Reorganization. (a) The planning committee shall: (1) Study the advisability of reorganizing school administrative units in accordance with this chapter, their organization, operation, and control, and the advisability of constructing, maintaining and operating a school or schools to serve the needs of reorganized school administrative units. (2) Estimate the construction and operating costs of operating such school or schools. (3) Investigate the methods of financing such school or schools, and any other matters pertaining to the reorganization and operation of a school administrative unit. (4) Prepare an educational and fiscal analysis of the impact of the reorganized school administrative unit on any remaining districts in the school administrative unit and on the school districts in any new school administrative unit which may be created as a result of reorganization, and a proposed plan for the disposition of any school administrative unit assets and liabilities. (5) Consult with the department of education regarding any unique issues and resolve such issues in a timely manner and submit a report or reports of its findings and recommendations to the several school districts within the existing school administrative unit. (b) If the planning committee recommends the reorganization of a school administrative unit, it shall prepare a plan to provide superintendent services which meet the requirements set forth in RSA 194-C:4 for the proposed reorganized school administrative unit, and a transition plan and timeline which includes consideration of transition budgets and staffing and is signed by at least a majority of the membership of the planning committee. (c) The planning committee may submit to the board of an existing school administrative unit, a plan for joining the existing school administrative unit. If approved, the plan shall be submitted to the state board of education and the school district voters in accordance with this section. (d) The planning committee shall submit a copy of the proposed plan to the several school districts and shall hold at least one public hearing no less than 14 days prior to submission to the state board. Within 60 days, the state board of education shall review the proposed plan for administrative structure and to determine whether or not the proposed plan complies with the requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4 (e) If in the opinion of the state board, all requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4 have been met, it shall forward the plan to the school district clerk for a vote at a regular or special school district meeting. (f) If the state board of education determines that all requirements have not been properly addressed, the deficiencies shall be noted and the plan shall be promptly returned for revision. When the plan is resubmitted, the state board of education shall promptly return the plan and make a recommendation for or against its adoption based on whether or not the plan complies with the requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4. This recommendation shall be reported to the legislative body of the district. The state board shall not have veto power over any plan once it is resubmitted by the planning committee. (g) The state board shall submit the reorganization plan to the school boards of the districts for acceptance by the districts as provided in subparagraph (d). Upon such submission, the state board shall cause the approved plan to be published once at the expense of the state in media of general availability and usage within the proposed school administrative unit. (h) Upon the receipt of written notice of the state board's recommendation of the plan, the plan shall be submitted for approval by the school districts under the procedures outlined in paragraph I of this section. The question shall be in substantially the following form: "Shall the school district accept the provisions of RSA 194-C providing for the reorganization of a school administrative unit involving school districts of __________ and __________ etc., in accordance with the provisions of the proposed plan?" Yes _________ No _________ (i) If 3/5 of the votes cast on the question in each district shall vote in the affirmative, the clerk of each district shall forthwith send to the state board a certified copy of the warrant, certificate of posting, evidence of publication, if required, and minutes of the meeting in the district. If the state board finds that 3/5 majority of the votes cast in each district meeting have voted in favor of the reorganization of the school administrative unit, it shall issue its certificate to that effect; and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the lawful organization and formation of the school administrative unit as of the date of its issuance. IV. Withdrawal. (a) The planning committee shall: (1) Study the advisability of the withdrawal of a specific school district from a school administrative unit in accordance with this chapter, its organization, operation and control, and the advisability of constructing, maintaining and operating a school or schools to serve the needs of such school district. (2) Estimate the construction and operating costs of operating such school or schools. (3) Investigate the methods of financing such school or schools, and any other matters pertaining to the organization and operation of a school administrative unit. (4) Prepare an educational and fiscal analysis of the impact of the withdrawing district on any school districts remaining in the school administrative unit and a proposed plan for the disposition of any school administrative unit assets and liabilities. (5) Consult with the department of education regarding any unique issues and resolve such issues in a timely manner and submit a report or reports of its findings and recommendations to the several school districts within the existing school administrative unit. (b) If the planning committee recommends the withdrawal from a school administrative unit, it shall prepare a plan for organization or reorganization. The plan shall include providing superintendent services, which meet the requirements set forth in RSA 194-C:4, and a transition plan and timeline, which includes consideration of transition budgets and staffing for the withdrawing district, and is signed by at least a majority of the membership of the planning committee. (c) The planning committee may submit to the board of an existing school administrative unit, a plan for joining the existing school administrative unit. If approved, the plan shall be submitted to the state board of education and the school district voters in accordance with this section. (d) The planning committee shall submit a copy of the proposed plan to the several school districts and shall hold at least one public hearing no less than 14 days prior to submission to the state board. Within 60 days, the state board of education shall review the proposed plan for administrative structure and to determine whether or not the proposed plan complies with the requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4. (e) If in the opinion of the state board, all requirements have been met, it shall forward the plan to the school district clerk for a vote at a regular or special school district meeting. (f) If the state board of education determines that all requirements have not been properly addressed, the deficiencies shall be noted and the plan shall be promptly returned for revision. When the plan is resubmitted, the state board of education shall promptly return the plan and make a recommendation for or against its adoption based on whether or not the plan complies with the requirements of this section and RSA 194-C:4. This recommendation shall be reported to the legislative body of the school district. The state board shall not have veto power over any plan once it is resubmitted by the planning committee. (g) The state board shall submit the plan for district withdrawal from a school administrative unit to the school board of the withdrawing district for acceptance by the district as provided in subparagraph (h). Upon such submission, the state board shall cause the approved plan to be published once at the expense of the state in media of general availability and usage within the district which proposes to withdraw from a school administrative unit. (h) Upon the receipt of written notice of the state board's recommendation of the plan, the plan shall be submitted for approval by the school district under the procedures outlined in paragraph I of this section. The question shall be in substantially the following form: "Shall the school district accept the provisions of RSA 194-C providing for the withdrawal from a school administrative unit involving school districts of __________ and __________ etc., in accordance with the provisions of the proposed plan?" Yes _________ No _________ (i) If 3/5 of the votes cast on the question in the withdrawing district shall vote in the affirmative, the clerk of that district shall forthwith send to the state board a certified copy of the warrant, certificate of posting, evidence of publication, if required, and minutes of the meeting in the district. If the state board finds that 3/5 of the votes cast in that district meeting have voted in favor of withdrawing from the school administrative unit, it shall issue its certificate to that effect; and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the lawful organization and formation of the new, single district school administrative unit as of the date of its issuance. V. (a) Pre-existing school administrative units may merge their administrative office with another pre-existing school administrative unit to consolidate administrative costs. Such mergers shall meet the following condition: the proposed merged school administrative unit shall have only one superintendent, or personnel responsible for superintendent duties pursuant to RSA 194-C:5, II-a. (b) The planning committee shall study and evaluate mergers in the same manner provided for reorganization under paragraph III. (c) Any school administrative units who are approved for merger by the planning committee shall be awarded a merger grant of an additional $200 per pupil in the merged administrative unit annually for a period of 2 years. In order to qualify for a grant under this subparagraph, the merger must be completed by July 1, 2030. The source of funds for grants under this subparagraph shall be moneys from the education trust fund established in RSA 198:39. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state's obligation under this subparagraph. (d) The number of students, as defined for the purpose of the merger grant, shall be measured based on the school district in which the student resides and is educated at the school district's expense as of the October 1st count. The count shall not include charter school students. (e) All school districts served by the newly merged school administrative unit shall be eligible for the merger grant. Source. 1996, 298:3. 1997, 245:1-3. 1999, 287:1, 3, eff. Sept. 14, 1999. 2010, 5:1, eff. June 18, 2010. 2024, 250:1, 2, eff. July 1, 2024.

RSA 194-C:3 Single District School Administrative Units; Exemption.

194-C:3. Single District School Administrative Units; Exemption. Single district school administrative units shall be considered the same as a single school district and shall be exempt from meeting the requirements of this chapter, except that they shall provide superintendent services pursuant to RSA 194-C:4, adopt a budget, conduct budget voting pursuant to RSA 194-C:9, and conduct public hearings under RSA 194-C:10. Source. 1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996. 2026, 153:3, eff. Aug. 18, 2026.

RSA 194-C:3-a School Closures.

194-C:3-a. School Closures. All school administrative units shall comply with the requirements of RSA 194:3-f and RSA 194:3-g relative to the closure of elementary and high schools. I. For the purposes of this section: (a) Elementary schools are the same as defined in RSA 189:25. (b) High schools are the same as defined in RSA 194:23. II. Single district school administrative units shall be exempt from the requirements of RSA 194:3-g if the single district school administrative unit serves only a single municipality. [RSA 194-C:3-a effective October 8, 2026.] Source. 2026, 303:4, eff. Oct. 8, 2026.

RSA 194-C:4 Superintendent Services.

194-C:4. Superintendent Services. Each school administrative unit or single school district shall provide the following superintendent services: I. An educational mission which indicates how the interests of pupils will be served under the administrative structure. II. Governance, organizational structure, and implementation of administrative services including, but not limited to: (a) Payroll, cash flow, bills, records and files, accounts, reporting requirements, funds management, audits, and coordination with the treasurer, and advisory boards on policies necessary for compliance with all state and federal laws regarding purchasing. (b) Recruitment, supervision, and evaluation of staff; labor contract negotiation support and the processing of grievances; arrangement for mediation, fact finding, or arbitration; and management of all employee benefits and procedural requirements. (c) Development, review, and evaluation of curriculum, coordination of the implementation of various curricula, provisions of staff training and professional development, and development and recommendation of policies and practices necessary for compliance relating to curriculum and instruction. (d) Compliance with laws, regulations, and rules regarding special education, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, home education, minimum standards, student records, sexual harassment, and other matters as may from time to time occur. (e) Pupil achievement assessment through grading and state and national assessment procedures and the methods of assessment to be used. (f) The on-going assessment of district needs relating to student population, program facilities and regulations. (g) Writing, receiving, disbursement, and the meeting of all federal, state, and local compliance requirements. (h) Oversight of the provision of insurance, appropriate hearings, litigation, and court issues. (i) School board operations and the relationship between the board and the district administration. (j) The daily administration and provision of educational services to students at the school facility including, but not limited to, fiscal affairs; staff, student, and parent safety and building issues; and dealing with citizens at large. (k) Assignment, usage, and maintenance of administrative and school facilities. (l) Designation of number, grade or age levels and, as applicable, other information about students to be served. (m) Pupil governance and discipline, including age-appropriate due process procedures. (n) Administrative staffing. (o) Pupil transportation. (p) Annual budget, inclusive of all sources of funding. (q) School calendar arrangements and the number and duration of days pupils are to be served pursuant to RSA 189:1. (r) Identification of consultants to be used for various services. Source. 1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996. 2010, 5:2, eff. June 18, 2010.

RSA 194-C:4-a Assignment of Superintendent Services; Personnel.

194-C:4-a. Assignment of Superintendent Services; Personnel. When used in this title, the term "superintendent" shall include the superintendent and any personnel assigned by the superintendent or school board to perform superintendent services under the authority in RSA 194-C:5. Source. 2024, 76:1, eff. Aug. 13, 2024. 2026, 269:7, eff. July 2, 2026.

RSA 194-C:5 Organization and Duties.

194-C:5. Organization and Duties. I. The school board of each school administrative unit shall meet between April 1 and June 1 in each year, at a time and place fixed by the chairpersons of the several boards, and shall organize by choosing a chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. II. (a) Each school administrative unit shall provide superintendent services to be performed as required by RSA 194-C:4. School districts shall not be required to have a superintendent and may assign these services to one or more administrative personnel working full or part-time; or such services may be independently contracted. (b) The state board may establish certification requirements for superintendents in smaller and larger districts, and may designate services in addition to those established in RSA 194-C:4. (c) Other administrative positions may be established, but only after 50 percent or more of the school districts in the school administrative unit representing 60 percent of the total pupils in the school administrative unit has voted favorably upon the establishment of the position. III. The school board of each school administrative unit shall fix the salaries of all school administrative unit personnel, shall apportion the expense of the salaries and benefits among the several districts, and shall certify the apportionment to their respective treasurers and to the state board of education. The school administrative unit board shall have the authority to remove superintendents and other administrators. [Paragraph IV effective October 8, 2026.] IV. Every 3 years following the effective date of this paragraph, the school board of each school administrative unit shall: (a) Review the approved and unapproved plans for organization, reorganization, withdrawal, and merger as described in RSA 194-C:2; (b) Review existing and continuing contracts entered into by the school administrative unit; and (c) Provide a written report to all school districts within the school administrative unit including the board's findings indicating whether changes to such plans and contracts are recommended. [Paragraph IV effective October 8, 2026.] Source. 1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996. 2026, 303:9, eff. Oct. 8, 2026.

RSA 194-C:6 Federal Assistance.

194-C:6. Federal Assistance. School administrative unit boards are hereby authorized to cooperate with the federal government or any agency thereof to request, receive and expend federal funds for educational purposes. The receipt and expenditure of federal funds by a school administrative unit shall be accounted for in the same manner as established for federal funds processed through local school districts. Each school administrative unit is hereby directed to establish separate from its operating budget a federal grant account. Source. 1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.

RSA 194-C:7 Representation.

194-C:7. Representation. Every school district maintaining one or more public schools shall be entitled to 3 votes on the joint board of school administrative units, plus additional votes as provided in RSA 194-C:8. Districts not maintaining schools shall have one representative on the joint board, who shall be entitled to one vote. Each school district board member present shall be entitled to have a proportionate share of the school district's votes provided that the total votes per district shall be equally divided among the district's board members present and cast as each member present decides on any issue. Source. 1996, 298:3. 1999, 287:2, eff. Sept. 14, 1999.

RSA 194-C:8 Weighted Voting.

194-C:8. Weighted Voting. In all votes regarding school administrative unit affairs, including the organization of such unit's school board and selection of officers, each district shall be entitled to one vote for each 16 pupils residing in that district and enrolled in schools under the administrative unit. A balance of 8 or more students shall entitle that district to an additional vote. A balance of fewer than 8 students shall have no net effect on a district's vote. Enrollments shall be based on the average daily membership in residence of each district for the school year which ended in the preceding June. Weighted votes shall only be used upon the demand of a majority of the members of any board present and voting in the school administrative unit. The school board members present at a school administrative unit school board meeting shall be entitled to cast the entire number of votes assigned to their school districts, provided that each representative present shall be entitled to a proportionate share of the total to be cast as provided in RSA 194-C:7. Source. 1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.

RSA 194-C:9 Budget.

194-C:9. Budget. I. At a meeting held before January 1, the school administrative unit board, or school board for single-district school administrative units, shall adopt a budget required for the expenses of the school administrative unit for the next fiscal year, which budget may include the salary and expenses of supervisors of health, physical education, music, art, and guidance, and any other employees, and shall include the expenses necessary for the operation of the school administrative unit. Superintendents, assistant superintendents, business administrators, teacher consultants, and the regularly employed office personnel of the school administrative unit office shall be deemed employees of the school administrative unit for the purposes of payment of salaries and contributions to the employee's retirement system of the state of New Hampshire and workers' compensation. II. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to school administrative units with 2 or more districts. The school administrative unit board shall apportion the total amount of the budget among the constituent school districts in the following manner: the apportionment shall be based 1/2 on the average membership in attendance for the previous school year and 1/2 on the most recently available equalized valuation of each district as of June 30 of the preceding school year. Prior to January 15 in each year, the board shall certify to the chairperson of the school board of each constituent school district the amount so apportioned. Each district within a school administrative unit shall raise at the next annual district meeting the sum of money apportioned to it by the school administrative unit board for the expenses of services which each district received in connection with the school administrative unit office. The school administrative unit board in adopting the budget shall not add any new service to the school administrative unit budget unless a majority of the school districts in the school administrative unit representing not less than 60 percent of the total pupils in the school administrative unit have voted favorably upon the establishment of the service. A vote to accept a new service shall not be construed as a vote to raise and appropriate money within the meaning of RSA 197:3. III. In addition to the method of apportionment set forth in paragraph I, the school administrative unit board may consider other methods. Any method of apportionment to be used shall have been approved by the constituent school districts pursuant to RSA 194-C:9, except that the proposed method of apportionment shall be adopted only if there is a majority affirmative vote in each school district within the school administrative unit. IV. The provisions of this paragraph apply to districts with an annual meeting. (a) The school administrative unit budget adopted according to RSA 194-C:9, I and II, shall be placed before the voters of each school district of that school administrative unit in a separate warrant article at the annual school district meeting. Wording of the warrant article shall be as follows: "Shall the voters of __________ (name of school district) __________ adopt a school administrative unit budget of $ __________ for the forthcoming fiscal year in which $ __________ is assigned to the school budget of this school district? This year's adjusted budget of $ __________ , with $ __________ assigned to the school budget of this school district, will be adopted if the article does not receive a majority vote of all the school district voters voting in this school administrative unit." (b) The adjusted budget in the warrant article shall be that of the previous year, adjusted for continuing contracts, but shall not include any pay increases, any benefits cost increases associated with pay increases, any new positions, or any new services that were not in the previous year's approved budget. Notwithstanding RSA 32 and RSA 40:13, the budget adopted by the school administrative unit board, or the school board for single-district school administrative units, shall not be amended or changed in any way prior to the vote. The school district moderator shall conduct a vote by paper ballot, record the number of yeas and nays, and announce the result at the annual meeting. (1) For single-district school administrative units, the moderator shall deliver the ballots to the secretary of the school administrative unit. (2) For school administrative units comprising 2 or more districts, the ballots shall be delivered to the moderator of the school district with the latest chronological annual meeting. The moderator of the latest annual meeting shall record the total number of yeas and nays, announce the results of the final vote on adopting the school administrative unit budget, and deliver the ballots to the secretary of the school administrative unit. (c) A majority of voters voting in favor shall result in the adoption of the budget proposed by the school administrative unit board. If the article receives less than a majority vote, the accepted budget amount shall be that of the previous year, adjusted for continuing contracts (adjusted budget). After a vote on the school administrative unit budget, the secretary of the school administrative unit shall place the ballots and all envelopes or wrappings that previously contained them in a suitable container, showing the contents and the date of the vote. The ballots shall be retained for 60 days from the date of the vote or any recount unless further preservation is necessary or unless disposal is enjoined by the superior court. Any registered voter who resides in a school district within the school administrative unit may, in writing, petition the secretary of the school administrative unit for a recount of the vote no later than the Friday following the latest annual meeting of school districts in the school administrative unit. The secretary shall schedule a recount, to be conducted by the school administrative unit, not earlier than 5 days nor later than 10 days after receiving the petition. Source. 1996, 298:3. 2003, 279:1, eff. Sept. 16, 2003. 2024, 329:1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024. 2026, 153:4, eff. Aug. 18, 2026.

RSA 194-C:9-c Unassigned Funds.

194-C:9-c. Unassigned Funds. At the end of the fiscal year, any unassigned general fund balance shall be apportioned and returned to the constituent school districts. The apportionment shall be on the same basis used by the school administrative unit and certified to the constituent districts for the purpose of raising the funds at the preceding annual district meetings. Source. 2026, 153:5, eff. Aug. 18, 2026.

RSA 194-C:10 Public Hearing.

194-C:10. Public Hearing. Before final adoption of the school administrative unit budget as provided in RSA 194-C:9, at least one public hearing shall be held within the school administrative unit, at a time and place specified by the school administrative unit board chairperson, upon a preliminary budget prepared by the school administrative unit board. Notice of such public hearing and a summary of the preliminary budget shall be submitted by the secretary of the board for publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the school administrative unit at least 7 days prior to the date of the hearing. The budget, subsequent to its final approval by the school administrative unit board, shall be posted in a public place in each constituent school district and given such other publication as the school administrative unit board may determine. Source. 1996, 298:3, eff. Aug. 9, 1996.

RSA 194-C:13 School Administrative Unit Study Commission.

194-C:13. School Administrative Unit Study Commission. I. There is established a commission to study the efficiency of existing school system structures. The commission shall be administratively attached to the department of education. II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the commission shall consist of the following members: (a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate. (b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (c) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee. (d) A superintendent, appointed by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association. (e) A member of a local school board, appointed by the New Hampshire School Boards Association. (f) A business office administrator, appointed by the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials. (g) A member appointed by the School District Governance Association of New Hampshire. III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission. IV. The commission shall: (a) Review existing demographic and enrollment shifts statewide; (b) Identify the number of school administrative units (SAUs) statewide, the cost per pupil in each SAU, and how SAUs can adjust their resource allocations to help reduce property taxes; (c) Identify states that have consolidated or restructured their school systems; (d) Examine impediments to consolidations and potential school closures; and (e) Solicit testimony from any person or organization with relevant information or expertise. V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. VI. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026. [RSA 194-C:13 repealed by 2026, 268:2, effective November 1, 2026.] Source. 2026, 268:1, eff. July 2, 2026.
Source: New Hampshire General Court (gc.nh.gov)URL: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-XV-194-C.htmFetched: 10/20/2026

Starting a business in New Hampshire? New Hampshire LLC guide: costs and requirements