News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
Jeff Chidester and I will be speaking at the Stratham Republican Town Committee’s annual fundraising event later this week. It’s called ‘What a Crock (of Soup).” It’s the 6th annual occurrence, and I love soup, so when they asked if I’d like to keynote, I said yes. There will be many, many crocks of soup, … Read more
Summary: Seabrook’s elementary and middle schools, part of SAU 21 in New Hampshire, face serious concerns involving bullying, the delivery of special education services, and persistently low proficiency scores in math and English. These issues deserve more than explanations and promises of improvement. They demand accountability, transparency, and a hard look at how the district … Read more
City Argues State Religious Liberty Protections Do Not Apply to Storefront Churches and Places of Worship MANCHESTER, N.H. — Cornerstone filed suit Wednesday against the City of Dover on behalf of The Prayer Room at Dover, a place of worship the City is seeking to block from gathering at its downtown storefront location. Dover is … Read more
During the past election cycle, I had the pleasure of meeting Matt one-on-one during my run for Speaker of the House. We talked at Wally’s in Hampton Beach during a Hampton Republican Committee fundraising event. From the beginning, I recognized Matt was a very respectful man, with conviction in his principles. He was also one … Read more
For years, Seabrook schools within SAU21 have faced ongoing concerns regarding academic performance, bullying, and special education services. Parents, taxpayers, and community members have repeatedly brought these issues before the School Board, yet many feel meaningful improvements have been slow to materialize. Several years ago, I addressed the School Board with concerns about curriculum quality … Read more
Problems Persist for Superintendent David Ryan Public trust in schools depends on accountability, transparency, and a culture where parents, teachers, and students can raise concerns without fear of retaliation. When that trust breaks down, families leave, teachers resign, and communities fracture. New Hampshire has now seen similar concerns emerge in multiple school districts connected to … Read more
I’m not sure what the East-Kingston and Kenisington School Boards want to keep hidden so badly, but they are spending a lot of tax dollars on legal fees to keep it that way. Taxpayers proposed a warrant article to create a non-taxpayer-funded committee to explore ways to save taxpayers’ money. The school budget is out … Read more
Dear Legislators, State Board Members, Commissioner Davis, and Members of the Media, My name is Ann Marie Banfield, and I am a parent advocate in New Hampshire focused on excellence in education. I am writing to bring your attention to a serious and ongoing issue affecting students in certain public schools, with the situation in … Read more
If you’ve not been following the situation in the Kensingston/East Kingston School District, you can get caught up here, but it involves schools, so the problem is one with which you are likely familiar. It is something and a microcosm of the problem with public education. Spending and cost per student are climbing to or … Read more
Do you know the name, Aimee Ragonese? She was a special education teacher at the Daniel J. Bakie Elementary School. Was. She pleaded not guilty to allegations that she abused special needs students, whom whistleblowers and concerned parents claim were ignored by just about everyone, all the way up to the District Superintendent. She was … Read more
As if the Seabrook School District were not already facing enough challenges within SAU21, a troubling situation has now drawn Hampton Falls into the controversy as well. A student from Seabrook who was subjected to relentless bullying is seeking to transfer to the Hampton Falls School through what is known as a Manifest Hardship transfer. … Read more
Calls for the resignation of Superintendent Meredith Nadeau are resurfacing after a troubling audit conducted by the New Hampshire Department of Education. See Seabrook School Board meeting. The state review found that students with special needs in Seabrook’s elementary and middle schools were not receiving all of the services required under their Individualized Education Programs … Read more
Where is 79% ($3.7 M) of the $4.8 M Kensington K-5 School – Budget going to? TRANSPARENCY = TRUST CITIZENS MUST BE INFORMED to Vote on March 10th. *Costs Highlights: SAU 16 Teachers are top 10% in Pay and benefits in the state. On average, Kensington Teachers’ proposed contract = $92,000 base pay and approx $44,600 in benefits = … Read more
Apologies for the short notice, but tonight at 7 PM ET, you are invited to epacfully open-carry at the Durham Town Council Meeting, Town Hall, at 8 New Market Rd. Some folks will be there in opposition to UNH’s gun-free zone policy and in support of legislation to prohibit such policies on campuses across the … Read more
Concord, NH — Cornerstone Policy Research announced today that the Strafford County Superior Court has dismissed State v. Isaac Santiago, a criminal case in which the State attempted to prosecute a man for criminal threatening based solely on the religious statement: “Be saved today or you will perish in your sins!” This ruling marks a significant affirmation … Read more
Is public education broken? That depends on whether you think the goal was to redirect private resources to create knowledgeable citizens capable of self-education and self-rule. That was never its purpose, though we must confess that at least a few of the kiddies walked out the other end at least able to read and think … Read more
The Portsmouth School District seems to hold some students in higher esteem than others. The latest controversy centers on Anthony Ferola, a 17-year-old senior at Portsmouth High School, who has been told to refrain from praying publicly during basketball games. According to Seacoast Online, Ferola prayed before games for his teammates’ health and to express … Read more
Earlier this week, I sent a list of questions to all four candidates in the race for Mayor of Rochester, New Hampshire. Given who is running, the unique situations in that corner of the state, and a flurry of interest from several readers, it seemed like something worth doing. Of the four, only two responded, … Read more
This week’s subject is Jamie Bradley, musician, performer, and the executive director of Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Undoubtedly, a fine progressive (to other progressives) who made an only mildly offensive comment about Charlie Kirk, …so why did he try to “disappear himself” online? “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the … Read more
Endorses Matt Mayberry for Mayor of Rochester FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2025 Rochester, NH — State Representative Kelley Potenza today announced that she has withdrawn from the race for Mayor of Rochester and is endorsing Matt Mayberry for the city’s top post. Potenza said her decision is based on her belief that Mayberry is … Read more