New Coalition Formed to Support Public Education in NH

Reaching Higher NH, a new organization made up of educators, business leaders and civic leaders, formed to champion the state’s public education system. The nonprofit will support public schools and foster high standards to give all Granite State students the opportunity to prepare for college and immediate careers. 

“There are significant and critical changes coming in public education,” says Alan Reische, an attorney with Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green in Manchester and a member of the board of directors of Reaching Higher NH. “Reaching Higher New Hampshire will help parents, educators and policy makers understand and respond to the challenges our schools face, from the new demands on our teachers to increased expectations for what our students will know when they graduate from high school.”

Serving on the board of directors are:

• Kass Ardinger, member of the Concord School Board

• Steve Duprey (board secretary/treasurer), CEO of The Duprey Companies

• Lewis M. Feldstein, retired president of the NH Charitable Foundation

• Mark Joyce, executive director of the NH School Administrators’ Association

• Donnalee Lozeau, mayor of Nashua

• Scott McGilvray, president of NEA-NH

• Selma Naccach-Hoff, head of the English Department at Manchester High School Central

• Pawn Nitichan, executive director of City Year NH

• Tom Rath (co-chair), attorney with Rath, Young, and Pignatelli

• Alan Reische (co-chair), attorney with Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green.

“We as a board are a heterogeneous group but we speak together with a clear voice for a greater good,” explains Tom Rath, a board member and attorney with Rath, Young and Pignatelli in Concord. Adds Scott McGilvray, president of NEA-NH, “Reaching Higher NH will support high standards for our students and work to get educators and administrators the support they need.” 

Lewis M. Feldstein, retired president of the NH Charitable Foundation in Concord, says the topic of educaiton affects everyone. “We’re all in this together. As parents, we want to see our children succeed. As educators, we take pride in the accomplishments of our students. As business people, we rely our workforce and want to help our schools prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. And as proud citizens of New Hampshire, we want to ensure that every student gets a fair opportunity to dream and achieve.”

Board member David Juvet, the senior vice president for public policy at the Business and Industry Association of NH, the statewide chamber of commerce, calls this topic an urgent and top priority.  

Reaching Higher NH will serve as a resource to inform the public and lawmakers about policies and trends that impact schools. Members will serve as advocates for education and intend to be a part of a statewide dialogue to promote quality classrooms and schools.