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Committee re-refers small bill on in-district placement flexibility after sponsor asks delay
Summary
Representative Erica Leon introduced House Bill 68 to allow more in-district placement flexibility for students; a school board member opposed on budget and staffing grounds. In executive session the committee voted 5–0 to re-refer the bill so sponsors can see how related legislation progresses.
House Bill 68, introduced by Representative Erica Leon (Rockingham 13), would provide a limited change to placement flexibility within public school districts intended to address situations when families seek alternative in-district placements for students with special needs. Leon told the Senate Education Committee the bill is a “very, very small bite” at flexibility and that other, broader bills are moving through the legislature. She asked the committee to re-refer the bill so sponsors can see how other bills progress and whether the local, in-district provision remains necessary.
Peggy Palponi, a former school board member representing Rockingham 38, testified in opposition. Palponi told the committee that mid-year or intra-district placement changes make budgeting and staffing difficult for districts—particularly for special education needs that require aides or one-on-one staff—because districts must plan for personnel and resources in advance.
No additional witnesses spoke on the bill during the hearing. In executive session the committee voted to re-refer House Bill 68 (committee vote recorded as 5–0). The sponsor had explicitly requested re-referral to allow time to consider related bills that are moving through the legislature.
