NH House passes “Croydon Bill”

The New Hampshire House passed SB 8, known as the “Croydon bill,” on Thursday, according to the Valley News. The bill would allow districts to pay tuition to private schools for the grades where they don’t have a public school. 

The bill passed the House by a vote of 210-147. Under the bill, schools must be approved by the State Board of Education, must administer statewide assessments, and be nonsectarian–a restriction that was not included in the House’s version, HB 557.

Senator Ruth Ward, the prime sponsor of the bill, had this to say:

“I am pleased by the House’s support of this legislation to allow students living in a town without a public school to have the opportunity to attend a public or private accredited school of their choosing in another community,” state Sen. Ruth Ward, R-Stoddard, a sponsor whose district covers Croydon and other Newport-area towns, said in a statement on Thursday.

The town of Croydon, which does not have its own public school beyond fourth grade, is just one example where this legislation will benefit students by allowing them attend a school that best suits their individual learning styles and educational needs.”

The bill goes back to the Senate, since it was amended in the House.

Source: Croydon Bill Approved by NH House | Valley News