Assessments – Granite Grok

A Pathetic Mea Culpa

October 3, 2024

by Laurie Ortolano

On September 24, 2024, the Board of Alderman meeting opened a conversation regarding the new “surprise” assessments received by property owners that weekend. The Mayor explained that properties throughout the City had increased but had no hard data to support his numbers. Congratulating homeowners on their average 20% increases in their assessed values to highlight … Read more

State Rep Accidentally Outs Herself

March 6, 2024

by Jody Underwood

There is a classic tale in which one man lends money to another. When the time comes to repay the loan, the debtor claims that no loan was ever made. They go to trial, and the lender says that the money was counted out on a large stone, which should be brought to court as a witness. The debtor says, ‘The stone will never be found, because I broke it into many pieces, which I dispersed to many places.’

How The State Will Take Over Private and Religious Schools

March 5, 2024

by Ann Marie Banfield

Democrats have shown that they are willing to go to the first step required for the State to take over private and religious schools. New Hampshire’s HB1610 requires all students in private, religious, and even home-school families to take the STATE standardized test.

pencil pencil shavings photo by Lisa Fotios - Pexels

The Rangel Principle: If Schools Don’t Have To Teach Kids To Read, You Don’t Have To Give Them Your Money

March 3, 2024

by Ian Underwood

For years, House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) didn’t pay taxes on significant parts of his income. When the IRS discovered this, it allowed him to pay the missing taxes without any of the normal penalties.

What Do We Mean by ‘Shall Ensure’?

July 12, 2023

by Ian Underwood

RSA 193-H:2 says flat out that: Schools shall ensure that all pupils are performing at the proficient level or above on the statewide assessment as established in RSA 193-C.

No One Likes A Bigger Tax Bill

December 6, 2022

by Laurie Ortolano

The two largest Cities in New Hampshire, Manchester, and Nashua, both have experienced democratic leaders. Nashua elected Mayor Jim Donchess and Manchester elected Mayor Joyce Craig.

Nashua’s Right Not-to-Know

March 26, 2021

by Laurie Ortolano

Well, Attorney Jesse Neumann is at it again. He is not assisting the public in understanding how our records are maintained to deliver information in the most cost-effective manner.

Sununu Signs Bill To Allow Families to Opt Out of Statewide Assesments

September 26, 2018May 31, 2018

by Steve MacDonald

HB1744, an ACT authorizing a parent to exempt his or her child from participating in the statewide assessment program, is now Law in New Hampshire. It does a few things. It allows parents or legal guardians to exclude their children from any statewide assessment. It prohibits local districts form punishing parents or students for choosing to opt out. And it excludes the names of student’s and parents from Right to Know requests, protecting them from intimidation tactics by third parties.

The Right to Opt Kids Out Of Assessments

July 15, 2024September 15, 2015

by Steve MacDonald

We discuss the parental right to opt their children out of state-wide assessments. The NH Legislature meets on Wednesday to cast override votes on the Governors Vetoes, including a bill to secure those right.

Assessing Assessments

July 15, 2024July 30, 2015

by Steve MacDonald

We continue with Michelle on legislation allowing parents to opt out of state-wide assessments, some opt out numbers from this years testing, district incentives (ice-cream parties, etc)to reward students who took the tests (and isolate those who did not), and parental involvement.