What are the public schools in Hanover?

The three public schools in Hanover include:

1. Bernice A. Ray Elementary School, grades K-5
643-6655, ray.school@valley.net, www.valley.net/~ray

2. Frances C. Richmond School, grades 6-8
643-6040, althea.clogston@dresden.us, www.valley.net/~rms

3. Hanover High School, grades 9-12
643-3431, cathy.niboli@dresden.us, www.hanoverhigh.org

What are the school districts?

The two school districts are:

1. The Hanover School District, responsible for the education of students in grades K-6 (K-5 at the Ray School and sixth grade at the Richmond School)
2. The Dresden School District, responsible for the education of students in grades 7-12 (the Richmond Middle and Hanover High Schools). Both Hanover and Norwich students attend the Richmond School and the Hanover High School. Dresden is the first interstate school district in the country and was created by one of the last bills signed by President John F. Kennedy before his assassination.

What is the SAU?

School districts in New Hampshire are grouped geographically into School Administrative Unites (SAU’s). The three Hanover Schools (plus the Marion Cross Elementary School in Norwich) are grouped into SAU #70. The SAU office, also called "the Superintendent’s office," is located at 45 Lyme Road, room 207, 643-6050, sau.70@valley.net; www.sau70.org.

What are the school boards?

The school boards are made up of elected citizens, with elections taking place at the annual school district meetings in February and March, as described in more detail on the following page. To become a candidate for school board, moderator, clerk, or treasurer, file at the SAU office in January, as announced in the newspapers.

• Hanover School Board
includes seven members serving staggered three-year terms.
• Dresden School Board
includes eleven members—including the seven members of the Hanover School Board and four of the five members of the Norwich School Board.

What do the school boards do? When do they meet?

The school boards are primarily responsible for determining policy for the operation of the schools—including curriculum, finances, and operations. They meet once a month, except during the January budget season when they meet more often. All meetings are open to the public and televised on channel 8. An agenda packet, including minutes from the previous meeting, is available in the school lobbies.

• Hanover School Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month, usually at the Ray School.

• Dresden School Board meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, usually at the high school library.

Three schools, two districts, one SAU, two school boards, plus the SAU board (a combination of the Hanover and Norwich school boards). And—as if that weren’t complicated enough—wait until you hear about how the annual school district meetings work, as discussed below.

What are the annual school district meetings?

Community-wide annual school district meetings are held to adopt a budget, elect officers, and decide on other school issues; these meetings are usually televised on channel 8. Before the meetings, a series of public hearings on the proposed budgets is held during January. In addition, local property owners are mailed the school Annual Report, which includes the agenda items—called the "warrant articles"—and the proposed budget. (See Chapter VI for more details on the school budget.)

When are the annual school district meetings?

For specific dates, see the Calendar of Elections on this web site. For updates and other years, see www.sau70.org or www.hanovernh.org/twn_elections.html. For a general overview, see the list below:

• Deliberative Meeting: Usually the Thursday before the first Tuesday in March
This session is for discussion of all the Dresden district warrant items—to prepare voters for the ballot voting five days later. No voting takes place at this meeting.
2006--Starting this year, the Hanover School District annual meeting is also a deliberative session with no voting. There is currently no "date certain" for this meeting. 

• Ballot Voting: The first Tuesday in March
The ballot at the polls includes election of (1) all of the Dresden District warrant articles, including the Dresden district budget, discussed in Chapter VI of this booklet, and (2) the Hanover School Board members, who automatically also serve on the Dresden School Board.
2006--Starting this year,  the Hanover School District budget will be voted by ballot on Tuesday, March 7 with the other balloting.

Absentee ballots are available at the SAU #70 offices.

• By a ballot vote in 2005, this process was changed:
Discussion and Voice Voting: Wednesday after the second Tuesday in March
This meeting for only the Hanover district includes both public discussion and voting on all warrant articles, including the Hanover district budget. (It does not include voting on the officers, which occurs the week before.)

You must be present at this meeting to vote; no absentee balloting is allowed.

 

In addition to participating in the annual School District meetings and the monthly School Board meetings, you may also want to join the following two citizen groups:

Friends of the Hanover-Norwich Schools:

a group of citizens who fund special projects. Kathy Snyder (802) 649-2914

Hanover Schools Volunteer Program

for many volunteer opportunities at all of the schools: 643-2784

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Chapter 1:  The Voters
Chapter 2: Town Government, Town Meeting, & Elected Officials
Chapter 3: Town Government Appointed Boards and Town Services
Chapter 4: Planning and Zoning
Chapter 5: School Government
Chapter 6: Municipal and School Finances 
Chapter 7: Federal, State & County Government & Elected Officials
Chapter 8:  County Government in New Hampshire
A Brief History of Hanover

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Home Page:  www.uppervalleyleague.org