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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hi, I'm Richard Ager. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Preshow #1 Return to index of stories... |
In this program. Public education - what's working, what's not. We'll hear from the governor and education officials how best to educate our students. |
| Preshow #2 Return to index of stories... |
It's an issue that some say challenges the traditional American Family - benefits for unmarried partners. We'll visit one community that is struggling with this decision. |
| Intro Benson/Educ Return to index of stories... |
The state is about to embark on a major reassessment of how we run our schools. The governor and education officials announced Wednesday that the state's education standards will be redefined through a series of public meetings and hearings. It promises to be a lengthy process. |
| Benson/Education Return to index of stories... |
Craig Benson, NH governor IN THE REAL WORLD, AS WE SAY, THE DEMANDS OF THE WORKPLACE HAVE CHANGED RADICALLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. AND I'M NOT SURE THAT WE'VE KEPT UP WITH IT FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT. Richard: GOVERNOR BENSON AND STATE EDUCATORS SAY IT'S TIME TO REEXAMINE EVERY ASPECT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND ASK WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T. Nick Donahue, Commissioner of Education BUT THE REALITY IS OUR DROPOUTS ARE TOO HIGH, OUR SCHOOL COMPLETION RATES TOO LOW. OUR TEST SCORES-- AS A LIMITED. AS LIMITED A MEASURE AS THEY ARE-- ARE IMPROVING SLIGHTLY OVER TIME AND THAT'S GOOD. PEOPLE ARE MORE SATISFIED IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAN EVER, BUT THEY HAVE BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOLS IN GENERAL. Richard: IN ORDER TO DO BETTER, THE GOVERNOR AND EDUCATION OFFICIALS SAYS SCHOOLS MUST INCORPORATE MORE REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE, AND RECOGNIZE ITS VALUE WHEN AWARDING DIPLOMAS. ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT APPROACH IS THE SCHOOL-TO-CAREERS PROGRAM THAT CURRENTLY PLACES STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN REAL WORKFORCE POSITIONS. Fred Bramante, Chair of NH Board of Ed I REFER TO THIS AS THE MOTHER OF ALL OPPORTUNITIES. THE LAST MAJOR EDUCATION REFORM EFFORT WAS NEARLY A CENTURY AGO. IT'S TIME ONCE AGAIN TO BRING STATEWIDE FOCUS ON HOW BEST TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS. WE NEED TO QUESTION EVERYTHING, FROM TEACHER COMPENSATION TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR TO GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. THERE MUST BE A 21st CENTURY ANSWER TO EVERYTHING. Richard: THE INITIATIVE WILL BEGIN WITH A SERIES OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS IN EVERY COUNTY THIS FALL. THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SUMMIT IN JANUARY OF 200-300 PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THOSE DISCUSSIONS WILL LEAD TO HEARINGS, AND A DRAFT RESOLUTION IN APRIL, AND A FINAL RESOLUTION EXPECTED NEXT AUGUST. THIS INITIATIVE WILL NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATURE. AND THE CHAIRS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEES ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT HOW STATE LAW MUST BE CHANGED. DEFINITIONS OF WHAT IS AN EDUCATIONAL DAY AND HOW MUCH INSTRUCTION TIME SHOULD BE IN THAT EDUCATIONAL DAY. SIX HOURS IN SCHOOL DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE GETTING A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT THAT TIME. APPEALING TO THE STATE BOARD FOR A DEFINITION INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLS IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT. AND YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLS DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE SITTING IN A CLASSROOM YEAR-ROUND, MEANING YOU'RE OUT IN THE WORKPLACE OR SOME TYPE OF INTERNSHIP OR SOME TYPE OF CAMPING PROGRAM. Richard: ALL INVOLVED SAY THIS COULD ALTER THE WAY WE THINK OF OUR SCHOOLS. Benson I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A SEA CHANGE IN THE WAY WE EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE, A HUGE CHANGE. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
And joining me now to discuss this education initiative - we have Nick Donohue, the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, Fred Bramante, Chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education, and Sen. Jane O'Hearn, chair of the Senate Education Committee. Welcome all. |
| Educ. Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Richard: FRED, I'D LIKE TO START WITH YOU. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OR PROBLEMS WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO GET AT AND FIX? WELL, I THINK THAT NICK HINTED ON A COUPLE OF THEM AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 20% DROPOUT RATE IN THE STATE. AND THEN THE GOVERNOR HAS OFTEN SAID THOSE ARE THE PHYSICAL DROPOUTS THAT WE KNOW ABOUT. HOW MANY OF OUR KIDS ARE MENTALLY TUNED OUT OF THEIR EDUCATION AND NOT REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT? GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT? HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU HEARD OVER THE YEARS KIDS REFER TO SCHOOL AS BORING? EVERY TIME I HEAR THAT, IT'S LIKE GRATING YOUR FINGERS ON THE CHALKBOARD TO ME. ;;;;IT MIGHT BE HARD TO DIFFERENTIATE REPORTER'S VOICE FROM GUESTS. Richard: ISN'T THAT THE OLDEST STORY IN EDUCATION? IT PROBABLY IS. AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE. ALL OF THE ANSWERS TO WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR A KID TO BECOME EXCITED ABOUT THEIR EDUCATION ARE IN THAT STUDENT'S HEAD AND ARE AVAILABLE TO US FOR FREE FOR THE ASKING. SO LET'S TALK TO OUR KIDS AND FIND OUT WHAT WILL GET THEM EXCITED ABOUT THEIR EDUCATION, AND LET'S LOOK AT REAL WORLD OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THEM INTO THEIR SCHOOLING AND WHAT THEY NEED TO MOVE ON IN THE FUTURE. KIDS LEARN IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. EVERY EDUCATOR KNOWS THAT. THEY LEARN IN SCHOOLS. THEY LEARN IN INTERNSHIPS. THEY LEARN THROUGH TRAVEL. THEY LEARN THROUGH SELF-TAUGHT, THROUGH, YOU KNOW, ALL KINDS OF WAYS. SO IF THEY LEARN IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, LET'S LOOK AT THOSE VARIETY OF WAYS AND GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THAT EDUCATION FOR CREDIT, SO THAT WE CAN GET THEM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. Richard: NOW, NICK DONOHUE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO OVERSEE WHATEVER EVERYBODY FINALLY COMES UP WITH. SO, I MEAN, HOW BIG A CHANGE ARE YOU EXPECTING HERE? WHAT. I MEAN. IS THIS MAJOR? WELL, FIRST LET ME SAY THAT THE WAY I THINK ABOUT THIS IS THAT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET EVEN BETTER. I THINK PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES KNOW THAT SCHOOLS NEED TO IMPROVE. AND MOST PEOPLE ARE. FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEIR SCHOOLS. SO. I. WELL, YOU FRAMED IT AS, YOU KNOW, WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE, WHAT PROBLEM ARE WE GETTING AT, I THINK IT'S THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER IN WAYS THAT WE REALLY HAVEN'T EVER BEFORE. AND THAT MEANS FREEING THINGS UP SO THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS WHO HAVE MADE DECISIONS TO COMMIT THEIR LIVES TO MODERATELY-PAYING JOBS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, INSTEAD OF FEELING HAMSTRUNG BY. BY SOME OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS WE HAVE. HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT. I THINK THE EMPHASIS ON REAL WORLD LEARNING IS SOMETHING THAT EDUCATORS ARE ACHING TO IMPLEMENT. Richard: GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT YOU MEAN BY "REAL WORLD LEARNING." I MEAN, THAT WE HAVE A HISTORY IN THIS STATE OF BEING A LEADER IN THE NATION AROUND SOMETHING CALLED SCHOOL-TO-WORK OR SCHOOL-TO-CAREER. EFFORTS TO BRING YOUNG PEOPLE INTO BUSINESSES, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT APPLIED MATH LOOKS LIKE, "WHY DO I NEED TO LEARN ALGEBRA?" THAT'S KIND OF A INSIDE JOKE FOR EDUCATORS. YOU KNOW, WHAT USE IS IT GOING TO BE? WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT, WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF VARIABLES AND YOU GOT TO PUT THEM TOGETHER AND COME OUT WITH A SOLUTION ON THE END, AND THAT'S WHAT PROBLEM SOLVING IS, THAT'S ALGEBRA. THAT SHOWS ITSELF IN THE WORKPLACE, AND WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE INVOLVED MORE IN REAL WORLD OPPORTUNITIES. AND THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WE CAN BUILD ON. I THINK THIS TAKES US. COULD TAKE US A BIG STEP FORWARD. BUT THE REAL EMPHASIS HERE IS STRENGTHENING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM NOT FIXING A PROBLEM. WE'VE MADE GREAT STRIDES. THE CLIP HAS ME IDENTIFYING SOME OF THE ISSUES. THEY ARE TRUE. AND WE ARE MAKING GOOD STEPS EVERY DAY, AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IMPROVING, AND THIS SHOULD TAKE US FURTHER AHEAD IF WE DO IT CAUTIOUSLY, AMBITIOUSLY AND THOUGHTFULLY. Richard: SENATOR O'HEARN, AS SENATOR, YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HEARING A LOT OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS, PARTICULARLY. I SURE DO. Richard:.IN EDUCATION. WHAT'S THE SOURCE OF FRUSTRATIONS THAT YOU HEAR? I MEAN, WHAT'S YOUR SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT PEOPLE OUT THERE, CONCERNED PARENTS OR TEACHERS, WANT TO SEE CHANGED? WELL, INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS ARE A MAJOR CONCERN WITH SOME OF THE PARENTS. AS WE. AS I LISTEN TO SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE IN THE LEGISLATURE, IT'S "WHY DO WE HAVE TO BUILD A CERTAIN SIZE CLASSROOM WHEN WE'RE CUTTING DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS." THAT SHOULD BE AN OPEN OPTION. WHY AREN'T WE DEALING WITH DIFFERENT INTELLIGENCES? WHY DON'T WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE. ALLOW A CHILD TO MOVE FROM ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT? WE HAVE A LAW ON THE BOOKS CALLED "OPEN ENROLLMENT," BUT YET THAT DOESN'T WORK, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE STUDENTS MOVING FROM ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ANOTHER. MANY TIMES, THROUGH A LOT OF MY HEARINGS, I'VE HEARD "A PUBLIC SCHOOL IS NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL," AND JUST BECAUSE OF WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU SHOULDN'T BE THE VICTIM OF HAVING TO GO TO THE SCHOOL THAT'S IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN MAYBE THE SCHOOL IN THE NEXT TOWN WOULD BE THE BETTER FIT FOR YOUR CHILD. Richard: SO ARE THE LAWS THAT GOVERN EDUCATION KIND OF LIKE THE TAX CODE, SORT OF BUILT UP OVER TIME, WANTING TO FIX THIS AND FIX THAT AND AT THE END OF IT ALL, IT JUST PRESENTS A LOT OF OBSTACLES? HERE'S WHAT WE HAVE. TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED, AND THE WAY WE EDUCATE HAS CHANGED AND YET IT'S NOT. .ABOUT KIDS? THAT'S RIGHT, AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND THERE'S SO MUCH MORE OUT THERE THAT AS THE LEGISLATURE TURNS OVER, THEY DON'T REMEMBER THE LAWS THAT THEY PASSED TEN YEARS AGO, BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND WE HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH IT. I THINK SENATOR O'HEARN PUT HER FINGER ON IT. THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME CHOICES THAT PEOPLE HAVE. WHY OR WHY NOT THEY'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT, PART OF THE REASON IS BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE FIND OUT ABOUT ISSUES AND HAVE REAL TRANSPARENCY ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR SCHOOLS, THE FIRST THING THEY DO IS THEY DON'T GO, "I WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE." THEY SAY TO THEMSELVES, "WHAT CAN WE DO TO FIX IT?" WHY? BECAUSE SURVEY DATA WILL TELL YOU, PEOPLE FEEL AN AFFINITY AND AN ALLEGIANCE WITH THEIR SCHOOLS, THEY TRUST THEIR TEACHERS, THEY HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION. Richard: SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY SATISFIED, IN OTHER WORDS, THE MAJORITY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE EDUCATION THEY'RE GETTING. IN FACT, WHEN YOU ASK FOLKS, ABOUT TWO-THIRDS SAY THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL AND A DIFFERENT TWO-THIRDS WILL ALSO SAY THAT EDUCATION IN GENERAL NEEDS A REVIEW. |
| Educ. Disc. Part 2 Return to index of stories... |
Richard: SO DO MOST PEOPLE JUST THINK SOMEBODY ELSE HAS A PROBLEM? THAT SEEMS LIKE A LITTLE CONUNDRUM THERE. I THINK WHAT THE SENATORS SAID ALSO ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL ED PROGRAM, EVERY EDUCATOR I KNOW WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE TIME, THE RESOURCE, THE CAPACITY TO SIT DOWN AND THINK ABOUT EACH STUDENT AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND DEVELOP THAT PLAN. RIGHT NOW, THE WAY OUR SCHOOL IS PUT TOGETHER, THAT'S HARD TO DO AND IF THIS EFFORT LEADS TO MORE FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN DO FOR STUDENTS, THAT'S MY FOCUS. ON AN INDIVIDUALIZED BASIS. ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S RIGHT. I MEAN, THIS. I THINK ABOUT MY TIME AS A TEACHER. I WAS A SCIENCE TEACHER. AND I WOULD BE SO MUCH MORE EXCITED ABOUT EVERY SINGLE DAY IF I KNEW THAT I HAD THAT KIND OF VARIETY IN MY DAY, THERE'S SOME TIMES WHERE I'M TEACHING A CLASS AND THERE'S OTHER TIMES WHERE I AM WORKING WITH INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS ON WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET THEM TO WHERE THEY ARE LOVING THEIR EDUCATION AND WE'RE MAKING GREAT STRIDES FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT. YOU KNOW, THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN THIS COUNTRY. I SAW ON "HEADLINE NEWS" THE OTHER DAY. CAN I SAY "HEADLINE NEWS"? IS THAT OKAY? Richard: WELL, YOU JUST DID. OKAY. THAT 70% OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE UNITED STATES ARE NOW ACCEPTING FOR CREDIT ONLINE COURSES. SO THERE IS A CHANGE. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DELIVERED WITHIN THE FOUR WALLS OF A CLASSROOM. LET'S LOOK AT THE BEST WAY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL KID. Richard: WELL, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING COMES TO MIND, AND THAT IS IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MASTERS BEING INVOLVED IN THIS. IN OTHER WORDS, WE HAVE THE FEDERAL "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" INITIATIVE THAT HAS, WELL, IMPOSED OR CREATED A LOT OF CONDITIONS. WE NOW HAVE THIS STATE-WIDE INITIATIVE THAT IS GOING TO COME UP WITH ITS OWN CONCLUSIONS. I GUESS I'D ASK, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LOCAL CONTROL? IT'S ALIVE AND WELL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. Richard: BUT ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL? ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL, ABSOLUTELY. THERE'S NO EXCLUSION. IT'S EASY TO PAINT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS BEING INTRUSIVE AND THERE'S LOTS TO TALK ABOUT, ABOUT "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND," BUT THEY HAVE A ROLE THAT THEY'RE PLAYING AND IT'S A HISTORICAL ONE AND IT'S GOING TO STAY WITH US FOR A WHILE AND IT'S GETTING VERY POPULAR. WE'VE GOT A STATE ROLE THAT WE'RE PLAYING AROUND SETTING THE GROUNDWORK. BUT THE WAYS SCHOOLS IMPROVE ARE FOR LOCAL FOLKS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THE KINDS OF CHANGES THAT FRED'S TALKING ABOUT, IF WE COULD END UP IN THIS PROCESS WITH PROVIDING THE CAPACITY FOR SCHOOLS TO HAVE REAL ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES, WHERE TEACHERS ACTUALLY WERE TRAINED AND SUPPORTED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THOSE KINDS OF TECHNOLOGIES, THAT ALONE WOULD BE WORTH IT IN TERMS OF REVIEWING THIS. I HOPE A LOT MORE COMES OUT OF IT AND AS WE DO IT AGAIN SENSIBLY WITH A FOCUS ON ONE THING. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL CONVERSATION, IT SHOULDN'T BE A BUDGETARY CONVERSATION. IT SHOULD BE ONE ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN TO PREPARE AND SUCCEED AS ADULTS IN OUR THRIVING CULTURE AND ECONOMY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. Richard: NOW, THE GOVERNOR DID SAY AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE THAT EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE EXCEPT ANY NEW TAXES. IT DOES SEEM LIKE A FAIRLY LARGE SET-ASIDE, DOES IT NOT? WELL, IT IS A SET-ASIDE, BUT YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY HAD THAT DISCUSSION, HAVEN'T YOU? AND WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT THE $800 MILLION TO $900 MILLION THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, BUT THEN YOU TAKE THE LOCAL BUDGETS, WHERE LOCAL CONTROL REALLY HAS A HANDLE ON WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND WHAT THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS IN DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE. I KNOW I MET FRED BACK IN '94, '95, WHEN I FIRST APPEARED BEFORE THE STATE BOARD MAKING SOME REQUEST TO THEM, AND I THINK WE'RE STILL ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH. HE MADE AN INTERESTING REMARK ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, AND NICK IS RIGHT, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT PROGRAMS. OUR SPECIAL ED STUDENTS HAVE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS. WELL, ALL OUR CHILDREN ARE SPECIAL, AND ALL OUR CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE A PROGRAM, WHEN THEY GO INTO KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE, THERE SHOULD BE A PROGRAM THAT FOLLOWS THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT KNOWS WHERE THEIR STRENGTHS ARE, WHERE THEIR WEAKNESSES ARE AND HOW YOU CAN BEST STRENGTHEN THEIR STRENGTHS AND TAKE THEIR WEAKNESSES AND MAKE THEM STRENGTHS AGAIN. Richard: NOW, I'D LIKE TO ASK ABOUT WHO'S GOING TO BE AT THE TABLE HERE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE N.E.A., WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE TEACHERS, HASN'T BEEN CONSULTED, AT LEAST NOT YET ON THIS. I'M WONDERING. THEY WILL BE. Richard: WILL THEY? ABSOLUTELY. I MEAN, WE HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO EVERYBODY YET, BUT. Richard: THEY ARE A MAJOR PLAYER, THOUGH. ABSOLUTELY. BUT WE EXPECT THAT WE WILL TALK TO ALL OF THE MAJOR PLAYERS AND WE WANT EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE. THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO DO TOGETHER. THIS IS. WE WANT. Richard: WOULD IT HAVE BEEN USEFUL TO HAVE ALL OF THEM PERHAPS WITH YOU? I MEAN, YOU WERE SAYING THIS SHOULD NOT BE A POLITICAL PROCESS. THERE'S MORE ENGAGEMENT, AND LET'S CLARIFY THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY WAS ABOUT TAKING A GOOD, LONG LOOK AT A LOT OF FACETS OF EDUCATION. A PIECE OF THAT IS THE STATE BOARD DELIBERATION AROUND RULES RELATED TO SCHOOL APPROVAL. IN PREPARATION FOR RULE-MAKING-- A LONG, ARDUOUS OFFICIAL PROCESS-- WE'VE ENGAGED A NUMBER OF FOLKS IN LOOKING INITIALLY AT SOME OF THOSE AREAS. SO, WE'VE HELD OPEN MEETINGS. NOW, IN TERMS OF THIS EVENT, THE ED REFORM INITIATIVE THAT'S OUT TODAY, IT'S A KICKOFF TODAY, IT HASN'T BEEN TALKED A LOT ABOUT PUBLICLY, BUT WE HAVE A GOOD, LONG HISTORY, ESPECIALLY IN THE PAST BUNCH OF YEARS, OF TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE TO TALK ABOUT CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE. THAT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IS AT THE HEART OF THIS, ABOUT PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS GETTING TO THE TABLE TOGETHER, AND THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS. Richard: SENATOR, HOW WILL YOU KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THIS? I THINK BY BRINGING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE TO TALK. I DON'T THINK THAT I HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, NOR DOES FRED OR NICK. I THINK THOSE PEOPLE IN THE FIELD OF TEACHING WILL PROBABLY HAVE BETTER IDEAS THAN WE HAVE AND HOW TO BETTER IMPLEMENT THEM. WE'VE TALKED OF MENTORING AND TEACHERS THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. I THINK MENTORING CHILDREN IS A GREAT IDEA, TOO. RICHARD, WE HAVE A CHANCE, NEW HAMPSHIRE SHOULD EXPECT THE MOST AND THE BEST EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN THE NATION, BAR NONE. WE HAVE A GOOD EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. WE RANK PRETTY FAIRLY WELL WITH SOME OF OUR FELLOW STATES. WE'VE GOT SOME WORK TO DO, WE'VE GOT AN OPPORTUNITY. THE QUESTION IS, ARE WE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT? Richard: FRED, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO BE THE BIGGEST FOCUS OF THE HEARINGS? AND YOU'VE GOT ABOUT 15 SECONDS. WELL, I THINK THAT IT'S LOOKING AT THIS CONCEPT OF REAL-WORLD REFORM AND REAL-WORLD EDUCATION. IS THAT A VALID WAY TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS, ON THE BOARD, IN THE DEPARTMENT? A NUMBER OF OUR MEMBERS THINK IT IS. WE NEED TO GO TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SEE IF THEY AGREE WITH US. Richard: AND WITH THAT, I GUESS I'LL JUST SAY WE'LL SE YOU AS THE FALL PROCEEDS AND THE HEARING STARTS AND THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US. THANKS. THANK YOU. GLAD TO BE HERE. |
| Intro Vailas Return to index of stories... |
In another government news. Health and Human Services Commissioner Nick Vailas has resigned. He came under attack last week for seeking investors for a private insurance company he wanted to start. More criticisms followed, accusing Vailas of serving on a political action committee for a national health care organization. Following the governor's education announcement I had a chance to ask Governor Benson about the conflict of interest. |
| Nick Vailas - Benson Return to index of stories... |
DO YOU SEE ANY POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH HIS DUTIES AS COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES? It's a full time job being commissioner of health and human services, as is being the governor, but it's tough to step away from a background in which you've been doing a lot of different things and have financial interests - to wipe all that out and just come and serve as commissioner. And I think he's trying to mitigate as much as possible and work full time for the state. |
| Vailas Tag Return to index of stories... |
Nick Vailas resigned after serving only 7 months as the Health and Human Services commissioner, saying the conflict-of-interest issues have distracted him from doing his job. |
| Intro Domestic Partners Return to index of stories... |
As the traditional American household changes, so too do the benefits that many municipalities and businesses offer their employees. An increasing number of committed partners living under the same roof are not married. Some cities and businesses now offer these couples domestic partner benefits. That means the unmarried, uninsured partner would qualify for coverage. Last week, the City of Somersworth voted on whether to offer such benefits. |
| Domestic Partners benefit Return to index of stories... |
Richard: DANA HILLIARD GAVE A HISTORY LESSON AT LAST WEEK'S SOMERSWORTH CITY COUNCIL MEETING. Dana Hilliard MOST OF YOU LIVED THROUGH THE LAST CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE 1960s, WHERE BENEFITS WERE BEING TALKED ABOUT AND PROTECTION WAS BEING DISCUSSED BY LEADERS LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING TO ENSURE THAT DISCRIMINATION WOULD NOT HAPPEN WITHIN OUR SOCIETY. Richard: HILLIARD, A MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL, SPOKE PASSIONATELY AND DEFENSIVELY ABOUT HIS PROPOSED DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS LEGISLATION. Dana Hilliard WE ALL TOOK A PLEDGE MOMENTS AGO, FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. IT'S REALLY EASY TO STAND UP AND PLEDGE TO A FLAG. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO CARRY OUT WHAT LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL MEANS. Richard: WHAT HILLIARD WANTED WAS TO EXTEND HEALTH INSURANCE AND EMERGENCY LEAVE BENEFITS TO THE UNMARRIED PARTNERS OF CITY EMPLOYEES. Dana Hilliard IS THIS ISSUE UNIQUE TO THE CITY OF SOMERSWORTH? NO, IT ISN'T. BECAUSE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTS ARE OFFERING THESE BENEFITS. Richard: HIS IDEAS RAN INTO STRONG OPPOSITION. Peter Eldredge, Somersworth IF THE CITY COUNCIL PASSES THIS PLAN TO UNDERMINE THE TRADITIONAL NEW ENGLAND VALUES MANY OF US HOLD SO DEARLY, I HOPE THERE WILL BE HIGH ENOUGH FEES INVOLVED TO COVER ALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR THE CITY AND THE EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUMS INCURRED BY THE CITY. SOMERSWORTH SHOULD NOT MAKE ME AND ALL THE OTHER TAXPAYERS PAY FOR THIS LUDICROUS SCHEME. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST PEOPLE WHO WANT THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO, AS LONG AS I DON'T HAVE TO BUY THE CAKE. THE PROPOSAL WANTS TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD. IF A COUPLE WANTS TO HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS A MARRIED COUPLE, THEY CAN LEVEL THE FIELD THEMSELVES: JUST GET MARRIED. Dana Hilliard ARE WE EXTENDING BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS IN THIS CASE BY PASSING 204 AND 304? YEAH, WE ARE. WE'RE EXTENDING BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP. FOR A CERTAIN PART OF THE POPULATION, MARRIAGE IS NOT LEGAL. Richard: EXETER AND ONE OTHER NEW HAMPSHIRE CITY OFFER DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS, BUT BUT ON THIS NIGHT, SOMERSWORTH VOTED NOT TO JOIN THEM. The vote - ABSOLUTELY. NO. NO. NO. NO. NOT THIS EVENING. NO. NO. YES. ORDINANCE FAILS 7-2. Richard: COUNCIL MEMBER SHERI DINGER VOTED AGAINST THE LEGISLATION. FOR HER IT WAS ABOUT POTENTIAL COSTS AND THE LEGALITY OF THE LEGISLATION. Sheri Dinger IF WE HAD HOME RULE IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, THEN EACH COMMUNITY COULD ADOPT THEIR OWN LEGISLATION THE WAY THEY WANTED TO. RIGHT NOW WE'RE GOVERNED BY THE STATE STATUTES. THE STATE STATUTES DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT, SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ILLEGAL IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT OVER AND ABOVE THAT, THE COST TO THE CITY FOR A REGISTERED DOMESTIC PARTNER HEALTH BENEFITS IS A REAL ISSUE. WE HAVEN'T EVEN DONE THE RESEARCH TO SEE HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST. Dana Hilliard IF IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, THEN THE TOWN OF EXETER WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXTEND DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS. HAD THAT BEEN THE CASE, THEN THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT IN COURT. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. THE TOWN OF EXETER DOES HAVE DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS. |
| Intro Domestic Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us now, Carina Self - who receives benefits through her domestic partner and Dana Hilliard a member of the Somersworth City Council. Thank you both for being here. |
| Domestic Discussion Return to index of stories... |
ANA, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU WHAT WOULD YOUR PROPOSED BENEFITS POLICY HAVE PROVIDED? THE PROPOSED BENEFITS POLICY THAT I'D INTRODUCED TO THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD HAVE REALLY LEVELED THE PLAYING FIELD AND OFFERED EQUALITY ACROSS THE BOARD. IT WOULD HAVE GAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP. AND, AGAIN, THAT IS THE KEY WORD HERE. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO. Richard: HOW DO YOU MEASURE THAT? WELL, IN THIS CASE BECAUSE MARRIAGE BETWEEN SAME GENDER COUPLES IS NOT LEGAL WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE DOMA LEGISLATION THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS INSTITUTED, WE WOULD MEASURE THAT BY INDIVIDUALS SIGNING A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY. Richard: THAT'S THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT. THAT'S THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT, ABSOLUTELY. SIGNING A DEFENSIVE. .SIGNING A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY, SHARING A COMMON RESIDENCY TOGETHER, AND HAVING A FINANCIAL INTERDEPENDENCE UPON EACH OTHER. THEY COULD NOT BE BLOOD RELATIVES, WOULD HAVE TO BE AT LEAST OF THE AGE OF 18, AND, AGAIN, SHARE SOME FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TOGETHER. AND THAT'S HOW WE WOULD MEASURE IT IN THIS CASE. Richard: NOW, CARINA, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS THAT YOU ACTUALLY CURRENTLY RECEIVE THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. ACTUALLY HAVE THESE BENEFITS? WELL, I'M RECEIVING MY HEALTH BENEFITS. WE'VE DECIDED TO PUT ME ON MY PARTNER'S DENTAL PLAN. AND THEN MY PARTNER, OF COURSE, RECEIVES SOME OF THE BENEFITS LIKE BEREAVEMENT LEAVE AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. Richard: NOW WERE YOU TOGETHER BEFORE THAT PROGRAM OF PROVIDING THOSE BENEFITS STARTED? I THINK SO. WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER FIVE YEARS. Richard: OKAY. AND SHE JUST STARTED WORKING AT THE UNIVERSITY LAST YEAR. SO, AS OF. Richard: WONDER IF YOU RECALL WHETHER IT WAS A TOUGH FIGHT THAT WENT ON, YOU KNOW, GETTING THOSE WON OVER. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE TODAY IF SOMEONE HADN'T FOUGHT THAT FIGHT. SO I THINK THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED. AND I THINK IT WAS SOMEWHAT OF A PROCESS OF SITTING DOWN WITH PEOPLE AND HELPING THE DECISION MAKERS IN THE PROCESS, WHICH IN THIS CASE I THINK IT WAS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. JUST SORT OF CONVINCING HIM THAT. OR CONVINCING THEM, LARGELY MEN, THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO, THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND THAT IT WAS BENEFICIAL TO THE ORGANIZATION. I MEAN, I LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN ALL THIS WAS GOING ON, SO I HAD A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW THE BENEFITS CAME WITH THE OFFICE. Richard: WELL, NOW, DANA, HOW DO YOU COUNTER THE OPPOSITION THAT IT'S BASED ON, THE FEAR THAT THE COSTS ARE GOING TO INCREASE. THAT THIS IS YET ANOTHER MANDATE THAT COULD BE PASSED ON INCREASING THE BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS. AS FAR AS A COST INCREASE, WE PAY FOR COUPLES' HEALTH INSURANCE AND DENTAL INSURANCE AS A MUNICIPALITY AND AS A STATE RIGHT NOW. AGAIN, THIS IS A QUESTION OF EQUALITY, AND, AGAIN, ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP TO RECEIVE THE SAME BENEFITS THAT WE BESTOW UPON MARRIED COUPLES. I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT WITHIN A SOCIETY THAT IS CONSTANTLY SAYING THAT WE NEED TO INSTITUTE OR WE NEED TO VALIDATE THE FAMILY, AND HOW IMPORTANT FAMILIES ARE AND HOW IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS ARE, THAT WE'RE NOT WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE AND SAY TO COUPLES WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A RELATIONSHIP FOR YEARS THAT, YES, YOU'RE. YOU, IN FACT, ARE IN A VALID RELATIONSHIP, AND THAT WE WELCOME THE FACT THAT AS. AS COUPLES YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING SOMETHING TO OUR SOCIETY. WELL, HERE'S A WAY WE CAN DO THAT. INSTEAD OF STOPPING COUPLES FROM HAVING THE INSURANCE, INSTEAD OF STOPPING COUPLES FROM HAVING HEALTH INSURANCE AND HAVING DENTAL INSURANCE, WHY DON'T WE BESTOW UPON INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE, IN FACT, CONTRIBUTED SOMETHING TO SOCIETY, WHO, IN FACT, ARE SAYING, "YES, WE'RE TOGETHER, WE'RE COMMITTED, WE'RE WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE NOT ONLY OUR OWN FAMILY AND OUR OWN RELATIONSHIP, BUT SOCIETY IN GENERAL." WELL, LET'S SAY TO THEM, "HEY, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE VALID. YOU ARE OFFERING SOMETHING TO US. AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE SAME BENEFITS THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS." IT'S AN ISSUE OF EQUALITY. Richard: I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT WE HAD INVITED SOME WHO OPPOSED THESE POLICIES, BUT THEY DIDN'T AGREE TO APPEAR ON THE PROGRAM. CARINA, DO YOU FIND YOURSELF HAVING TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF ARGUMENTS, EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE DO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS? I WOULDN'T SAY I MAKE THE ARGUMENTS FOR BENEFITS ON A REGULAR BASIS, BUT I DO SOMETIMES HAVE FRIENDS OR COWORKERS OR OTHER PEOPLE ASK ME ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW IS IT THAT MY PARTNER AND I ARE ABLE TO GET. Richard: ARE SOME SURPRISED THAT YOU ACTUALLY GET BENEFITS? I THINK SOME PEOPLE ARE, BUT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, TOO, THAT, I MEAN ALL YOUNG FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING IN THESE TIMES TO MAKE ENDS MEET. AND I MEAN PART OF THE REASON I NEED PARTNER BENEFITS IS BECAUSE I'M IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, AND I WORK TWO PART TIME JOBS, AND NEITHER ONE OF THOSE CAN PROVIDE ANY KIND OF BENEFITS. AND I THINK MOST FAMILIES CAN RELATE TO THAT STRUGGLE OF TRYING TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND PUT ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER, AND TRYING TO BUILD A FUTURE AND THAT KIND OF THING. AND SO MOST PEOPLE I THINK REALLY GET THAT ON A VERY GUT LEVEL OF WHY THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO A FAMILY, TO HAVE THAT AND TO HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT IF SOMETHING REALLY CATASTROPHIC HAPPENS TO ME HEALTH-WISE, THAT'S NOT GOING TO BREAK THE BANK OR BANKRUPT US OR CAUSE US TO LOSE OUR HOME OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS. Richard: JUST LIKE AS YOU WERE SAYING ANY OTHER FAMILY. DANA, THE VOTE AGAINST YOU WAS 7-2. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TURN THAT AROUND? WELL, AGAIN, IT WAS A 7-2 VOTE AGAINST THE LEGISLATION, BUT I REALLY SEE IT AS A VICTORY. I DON'T SEE IT AS A LOSS. BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CITY OF SOMERSWORTH WAS NOW DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. AND YOU NEED TO START SOMEWHERE ON THE PATH AND THIS WAS CERTAINLY A BEGINNING. FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THE ISSUE OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP AND CERTAINLY THE LAST NAME HILLIARD HAS BEEN A HOUSEHOLD NAME AT THE DINNER TABLE. AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOW DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE WITHIN SOMERSWORTH WAS A VICTORY, BECAUSE NOW PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD THE BACKGROUND INTO THIS ISSUE ARE NOW AWARE AT LEAST OF IT. THEY AT LEAST HAVE HAD SOME EDUCATION DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE, AND REALLY REALIZING THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE STYLES OF FAMILIES THAT EXIST WITHIN OUR SOCIETY. Richard: AND WE WILL HAVE TO LET IT GO AT THAT. WE ARE OUT OF TIME. BUT YOU DID GET TWO VOTES AND NOT NONE, SO IT'S PROBABLY. YOU COULD SAY THAT'S PROGRESS. THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US. THANK YOU. |
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We'd like to hear what you have to say about the subjects we've covered in our program. Connect with us online at nhptv.org and tell us what's on your mind. |
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On the next New Hampshire Outlook - we'll be on at 11 pm, Thursday, following an evening of programming remembering the events of September 11th. We'll bring you the story of a first responder from New Hampshire and his account of Ground Zero. We hope you'll join us. |
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Until then we'll see you next time. Thanks for watching. |
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. The domestic partner debate in the Granite State. One city council votes no on benefits to partners. Another already provides them. Join us tonight at 10:00. |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. We'll bring you the story of a 9-11 first responder from New Hampshire and his story of Ground Zero. Join us at a special time 11:00. |
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Something good came out of New Hampshire's costly forest fires in the late 1800's. Firetowers! In this installment of Steve Taylor's Real New Hampshire, he visits one of New Hampshire's firetowers. And climbs up the tower. And visits with the Fire Ranger. |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 9/10/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 16:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, public education - what's working, what's not. We'll hear from the governor and education officials how best to educate our students. It's an issue that some say challenges the traditional American Family - benefits for unmarried partners. We'll visit one community that is struggling with this decision. The state is about to embark on a major reassessment of how we run our schools. The governor and education officials announced Wednesday that the state's education standards will be redefined through a series of public meetings and hearings. It promises to be a lengthy process. And in studio to discuss this education initiative - Nick Donohue, the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, Fred Bramante, Chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education, and Sen. Jane O'Hearn, chair of the Senate Education Committee. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:Craig Benson\NH Governor, Nicholas Donohue\NH Commissioner of Education, Fred Bramante\Chair, NH Board of Education, Sen. Jane O'Hearn\Chair, Senate Education Cmte |
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 9/10/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 16:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, public education - what's working, what's not. We'll hear from the governor and education officials how best to educate our students. It's an issue that some say challenges the traditional American Family - benefits for unmarried partners. We'll visit one community that is struggling with this decision. The state is about to embark on a major reassessment of how we run our schools. The governor and education officials announced Wednesday that the state's education standards will be redefined through a series of public meetings and hearings. It promises to be a lengthy process. And in studio to discuss this education initiative - Nick Donohue, the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, Fred Bramante, Chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education, and Sen. Jane O'Hearn, chair of the Senate Education Committee. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:Craig Benson\NH Governor, Nicholas Donohue\NH Commissioner of Education, Fred Bramante\Chair, NH Board of Education, Sen. Jane O'Hearn\Chair, Senate Education Cmte |
| key: Family / Marriage Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 9/10/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 10:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, public education - what's working, what's not. We'll hear from the governor and education officials how best to educate our students. It's an issue that some say challenges the traditional American Family - benefits for unmarried partners. We'll visit one community that is struggling with this decision. As the traditional American household changes, so too do the benefits that many municipalities and businesses offer their employees. An increasing number of committed partners living under the same roof are not married. Some cities and businesses now offer these couples domestic partner benefits. That means the unmarried, uninsured partner would qualify for coverage. Last week, the City of Somersworth voted on whether to offer such benefits. Joining us instudio, Carina Self - who receives benefits through her domestic partner and Dana Hilliard a member of the Somersworth City Council. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dana Hilliard\Somersworth City Council, Peter Eldredge\Somersworth, Sheri Dinger\Somersworth City Council, Carina Self\Benefits Recipient |
| key: Community Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 9/10/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 10:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, public education - what's working, what's not. We'll hear from the governor and education officials how best to educate our students. It's an issue that some say challenges the traditional American Family - benefits for unmarried partners. We'll visit one community that is struggling with this decision. As the traditional American household changes, so too do the benefits that many municipalities and businesses offer their employees. An increasing number of committed partners living under the same roof are not married. Some cities and businesses now offer these couples domestic partner benefits. That means the unmarried, uninsured partner would qualify for coverage. Last week, the City of Somersworth voted on whether to offer such benefits. Joining us instudio, Carina Self - who receives benefits through her domestic partner and Dana Hilliard a member of the Somersworth City Council. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dana Hilliard\Somersworth City Council, Peter Eldredge\Somersworth, Sheri Dinger\Somersworth City Council, Carina Self\Benefits Recipient |
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Thursday night on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 11:00pm only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
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Narr 1 - Dana Hilliard gave a history lesson at last week's Somersworth City Council meeting. Dana "Most of you lived through…within our society." Narr 2 - Hilliard, a member of city council spoke passionately and defensively about his proposed domestic partner benefits legislation. Dana "We all took a pledge…justice and liberty for all means." Narr 3 - What Hilliard wanted was to extend health insurance and emergency leave benefits to the unmarried partners of city employees. Dana "Is this unique to…offering these benefits." Narr 4 - His ideas however ran into strong opposition. Peter Eldredge "If the city council passes this plan…for this ludicrous scheme." Peter "I have nothing against people who want their cake and eat it too…just get married." Dana Hilliard "Are we extending benefits…marriage is not legal." Narr 5 - Exeter and one other New Hampshire city offer domestic partner benefits. But on this night, Somersworth voted not to join them. vote "fails 7 to 2" Narr 6 - Council member, Sheri Dinger voted against the legislation. For her it was about potential costs and the legality of the legislation. Sheri "If we had Home Rule each community…haven't researched to see how much it would cost." Dana clip 620-633 "If it was unconstitutional in the state of NH…does have domestic partner benefits." |
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Soundup: tape 1 08:59:10 In the real world.not sure we've kept up with it from an educational standpoint. Track: Governor Benson and state educators say it's time to re-examine every aspect of public education, and ask what works, and what doesn't. Bite: 09;02:10 The reality is our dropouts are too high, our completion rates are too low.big questions about schools in general. Track: In order to do better, the governor and education officials say schools must incorporate more real world experience and recognize its value when awarding diplomas. One example of that approach is the School to Careers program that currently places students and teachers in real workforce positions. Bite: tape 1 09:07:42 I refer to this as the mother of all opportunities. The last major education reform effort was nearly a century ago. It's time once again to bring state-wide focus on how best to educate our students. Bite: 09:08:07 We need to question everything from teacher compensation to the school calendar to the school calendar to graduation requirements. There must be a 21st century answer to everything. Standup: tape 2 10:12:06 The initiative will begin with a series of town hall meetings in every county this fall. that will be followed by a summit in January of 2-300 people from all walks of life. Those discussions will lead to hearings and a draft resolution by April, and a final resolution expected by next August. Track: This initiative will need the support of the legislature, and the chairs of the House and Senate education committees are already talking about how state law must be changed. Bite: tape 1 09:27:25 The definition of what is an educational day, and what instruction should be in that day.year-round classrooms doesn't mean you're sitting in a classroom year round - meaning you're out on some type of internship or some type of camping program. Bite: tape 1 09;21:45 I think there needs to be a sea change in the way we educate our children, and that's what we're proposing here. A huge change. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |