June 24 Update – Education and Attractions | NH State Representative Steven Smith

Education – Planning for September

The debate over how to reopen NH schools this fall is highlighting a problem that we deal with in Concord all the time. The short version is that works for Manchester does not necessarily work for Sullivan County, and vice versa.

This is from the education task force:

“Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said the state’s tradition of local control calls for districts to have flexibility.

“We should not adopt a one-size fits all policy because that isn’t going to work,” said Carl Ladd, executive director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.

Amy Allen with the Manchester School District said best practices are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that all schools must follow.

“If some districts are allowing some things and others aren’t, I think that is going to create some problems,” Allen said.”” Education task force embraces ‘hybrid’ school instruction this fall By Kevin Landrigan New Hampshire Union Leader

I agree with the Commissioner. While there should be universal guidelines for public health, local schools know their infrastructure and capabilities. Class size for example, is largely determined room size. The ability to work/learn remotely has a lot to do with internet availability. While CARES funding is going to be used to build out that infrastructure, estimates are that this is a ten year build and we need a plan tomorrow. Final recommendations are due June 300, so stay tuned. ~ Steve

Task force: Concerns over social distancing, hybrid learning

https://apnews.com/1d778b9212dd72a94db9fb854c1ab34b

Eased restaurant restrictions seem likely for New Hampshire’s next reopening phase

https://www.nhbr.com/eased-restaurant-restrictions-seem-likely-for-new-hampshires-next-reopening-phase/

North Country amusement parks prepare to reopen

https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/coronavirus/north-country-amusement-parks-prepare-to-reopen/article_6dff3603-7b43-508d-a47c-67a64fa76534.html

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – June 23, 2020

On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, DHHS announced 15 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 5,571 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are two individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults, with 53% being female and 47% being male. The new cases reside in Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (4), Rockingham (4), and Merrimack (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (4) and Nashua (2).