Support charter schools—help us grow and advocate today!

Working on behalf of NH Public Charter Schools since 2016

Dear Charter School Supporters,

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we want to thank you—our dedicated charter school supporters—for standing with us every step of the way. May is a busy and meaningful time across our charter school communities, filled with student celebrations, and important transitions. Behind each milestone is your belief in the power of public school choice and the educators and families who make it thrive. Your support helps ensure that charter schools remain vibrant, innovative, and responsive to student needs. Together, we’re not just closing out another school year—we’re building momentum for what’s ahead.

Warm regards, 



Jodi Adams

Executive Director

Business Membership Program

Local businesses play a vital role in strengthening public charter schools across New Hampshire. Our Business Membership Program offers companies the opportunity to invest in educational innovation, support student success, and connect with mission-driven schools statewide. Members receive recognition, networking opportunities, and the satisfaction of helping ensure that every child has access to a high-quality public education that fits their needs.

👉 Learn more and become a business member today!

U.S. Supreme Court Religious Charter School Case

The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a 4–4 split decision in the case involving St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a proposed religious charter school in Oklahoma. This tie vote lets the lower court’s ruling stand, which blocked the establishment of the religious charter school—at least for now. While the case focused on whether a religious institution could run a publicly funded charter school, the broader legal significance lies in what the decision affirms: that charter schools are public schools in the eyes of the law.

This outcome is a positive development for the charter school movement. By treating charter schools as public schools subject to constitutional protections and restrictions, the ruling reinforces the public status of charter schools and the legal standards that govern them. It helps protect the integrity of the charter model by ensuring public accountability and preserving public funding for nonsectarian education, while also solidifying charter schools' place within the public education system—a critical factor in ongoing policy and legal discussions nationwide.

NH Charter School Celebrations

Congratulations to Breakthrough Academy Chartered Public School on securing a location in beautiful Chocorua, New Hampshire! Breakthrough Academy blends competency-based education with an agriculture-centered learning environment, fostering self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and sustained engagement. Through hands-on agricultural experiences and a robust academic curriculum, students will build essential life skills, cultivate confidence, and develop into innovative, values-driven leaders prepared to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to New Hampshire’s future.

We're excited to share that Seacoast Charter School has launched its official podcast—a new platform to celebrate student voices, highlight school culture, and share insights from staff and leadership. In the first episode, Head of School Nicole Outsen and kindergarten teacher Maegan Adams discuss the vision and goals for this new endeavor. Listeners will also enjoy a special feature: readings from the SCS students who won the Dover Public Library 2025 Poetry Contest! This is a great example of how charter schools can creatively amplify community and student engagement. Tune in and subscribe by clicking here to support and learn from this inspiring new initiative.

Legislative Updates

State Budget & Legislative Process: Key Dates Ahead

The Senate Finance Committee continues to review the Department of Education’s proposed budget and is expected to make final decisions in the coming days. The full Senate will act on the FY 2026–2027 State Budget on June 5, the same day both the House and Senate will meet in session to address amended bills. For each bill, legislators can choose to concur with the changes, non-concur (effectively ending the bill), or non-concur and request a Committee of Conference to negotiate a final version.

Committees of Conference—typically made up of 3–4 members from each chamber—must be established by June 12, with all committee reports signed by June 19. The legislature will take final action on these reports by June 26, marking the last day of the 2025 session. Again this month, the House has voted on various bills, determining whether they are Inexpedient to Legislate (killed), retained in committee, or advanced to the Senate. Below is an update on the charter-specific bills we’ve been actively working on, along with a summary of other legislation we’ve been monitoring.

SB54 - Relative to Refusal Of Consent to Testing to Determine Alcohol Concentration and Penalties For Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. **Includes amendment that adds mandatory firearms safety training in pubic schools.



This bill modifies periods of suspension under different circumstances stemming from a refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration. This bill further modifies the penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated. Although SB 54 originally focused on education policy, it was recently amended in the House to allow public schools—including charter schools—to offer firearms training programs to students. This enables districts and charter schools to incorporate firearms instruction into their curriculum with the ability for parents to opt out. The House will act on the committee's recommendation of "Ought to Pass with Amendment" when they meet in session on June 5th. If adopted, the Senate will be asked to concur. 

❌ Opposing SB297 – Relative to Pooled Risk Management Programs

As of May 28, 2025, SB297 has progressed through the legislative process with the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee issuing a unanimous recommendation for its passage, accompanied by Amendment #2025-2473h. The amendment provides choice to risk pool companies as to which entity they wish to be regulated under, Department of Insurance or Secretary of State’s Office.  

If the changes made to SB 297 by the House Committee are not agreed to by the Senate, the bill will end up in Committee of Conference!