SAU#75 Superintendent Newsletter

Dear Grantham School Community,

As we approach the holiday season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our entire school community. This time of year offers a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and appreciate the dedication of our staff, the curiosity and resilience of our students, and the ongoing partnership of our families. I am deeply grateful for the many ways you support our schools and one another throughout the year. May the coming weeks bring you rest, joy, and special moments with those you hold dear. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.

Sincerely,

Christine Downing

I received the information below via email and am passing it along to our seniors. DEADLINE is January 12, 2026.

Each year the New Hampshire Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate contacts New Hampshire schools regarding the grade-based scholarships given by the NH JCI Senate and the United States JCI Senate organization to selected high school seniors. There are two applications depending on the type of postsecondary education desired:

1. For students with a GPA of 3.75 or higher seeking acceptance to an accredited two or four-year college, NH JCI Senate will be submitting two applications to the national level of our organization. In April, 2026, grants of $1,500 will be awarded by the US JCI Senate to a yet to be determined number of students. In 2025, 50 grants were given nationally. We are very proud that many New Hampshire students have been named winners over the years.

2. For students with a GPA of 3.25 or higher and above and seeking acceptance at an accredited vocational, trade, or industrial school, NH JCI Senate will be submitting our finalist in this category to the US JCI Senate for national scholarship funds.

An application must be completed in its entirety and the hard copy sent before January 12, 2026. Each application will be screened based on scholastic ability, extracurricular activities, neatness, financial need and correctly following directions. Very eligible students have been disqualified in the past for not following directions. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.

Please see the two attachments below if interested in the scholarships.

The Grantham School Board has begun review of the FY 2027 School Budget.

A presentation and first review was conducted on December 8, 2025.

Information about the budget can be found with this link.

Detailed slides were also created to provide full transparency with the school budget process.

Slides can be found here.

The next opportunity for public engagement will be January 6, 2026 at 6:30pm. The Grantham School Board will hold its meeting in the Draper Room of the Eastman Conference Center. Please note the change in location for this meeting as the Board will not be meeting in the Music Room at GVS for its January meeting.

If you have questions on the budget, please contact Superintendent Christine Downing via cdowning@sau75.org or 603.863.3786

We are always looking for general substitutes to provide coverage due to staff absences. If you are interested, please check out our website (link provided below).

The GVS Drone Club held its first practice on December 3rd. There are about 25 to 35 students in grades 4, 5, and 6 participating in the club. We practice every Wednesday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. Thank you to all the parents and families for supporting these efforts. Our "village" is having a blast exploring the world of drone competition.

What are EFAs?

There have been various news reports related to Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). With a little help from AI, here is a summary.

In New Hampshire, Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) are state-funded grants that allow eligible families to direct a portion of state education money toward the educational environment that best fits their child's needs. EFAs act as a "scholarship" or "education savings account." Instead of the state sending per-pupil funding directly to a local public school, that money is redirected to an account managed by the Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire for the parent to use on behalf of their student.

Who is Eligible? (New for 2025)

As of June 2025, New Hampshire passed legislation to make EFAs universally available.

• Previous Rule: Families had to be at or below 350% of the federal poverty level.

• Current Rule: All K-12 students who are New Hampshire residents are now eligible to apply, regardless of household income.

What Can the Funds Be Used For?

The funds (which average roughly $4,400 to $5,300 depending on the student's specific needs) can be spent on:

• Private school tuition (religious or non-religious).

• Homeschooling expenses (curriculum, textbooks, and software).

• Tutoring services and educational therapies.

• Online learning programs and community college courses.

• Educational supplies (computers, internet for schooling, etc.)

What are key points to know?

• Public School Status: To receive an EFA, a student cannot be enrolled full-time in a traditional public school or public charter school. Full-time status per the EFA statute is defined as more than 50% of instructional time.

• Priority Groups: While the program is now universal, priority for enrollment is given to returning students, their siblings, students with disabilities, and lower-income families if the state-mandated enrollment cap is reached.

• Accountability: Parents must submit a "Record of Educational Attainment" (like standardized test results or a portfolio review) annually to remain in the program.

To review the full NH RSA governing EFAs, please use the link below.

Recent Technical Advisories Released by NH Department of Education

• Parental/Guardian Consent for Audio and Video Recordings
• Access to Public School Curricular and Co-Curricular Programs