A. Statement of policy. It is the purpose of this compact to increase the educational opportunities within the states of New Hampshire and Vermont by encouraging the formation of interstate school districts which will each be a natural social and economic region with adequate financial resources and a number of pupils sufficient to permit the efficient use of school facilities within the interstate district and to provide improved instruction. The state boards of education of New Hampshire and Vermont may formulate and adopt additional standards consistent with this purpose and with these standards; and the formation of any interstate school district and the adoption of its articles of agreement shall be subject to the approval of both state boards as hereinafter set forth.

B. Requirement of Congressional Approval. This compact shall not become effective until approved by the United States Congress.

C. Definitions. The terms used in this compact shall be construed as follows, unless a different meaning is clearly apparent from the language or context:

a. "Interstate school district" and "interstate district" shall mean a school district composed of one or more school districts located in the State of New Hampshire associated under this compact with one or more school districts located in the State of Vermont, and may include either the elementary schools, the secondary schools, or both.

b. "Member school district" and "member district" shall mean a school district located either in New Hampshire or Vermont which is included within the boundaries of a proposed or established interstate school district. In the case of districts located in Vermont, it shall include city school districts, town school districts, union school districts and incorporated school districts. Where appropriate, the term "member district clerk" shall refer to the clerk of the city in which a Vermont school district is located, the clerk of the town in which a Vermont town school district is located, or the clerk of an incorporated school district.

c. "Elementary school" shall mean a school which includes all grades from kindergarten or grade one through not less than grade six nor more than grade eight.

d. "Secondary school" shall mean a school which includes all grades beginning no lower than grade seven and no higher than grade twelve.

e. "Interstate board" shall refer to the board serving an interstate school district.

f. "New Hampshire board" shall refer to New Hampshire State Board of Education.

g. "Vermont board" shall refer to the Vermont State Board of Education.

h. "Commissioner" shall refer to the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education or the Vermont Secretary of Education, individually or collectively as appropriate. "State departments of education" shall refer collectively to the New Hampshire Department of Education and the Vermont Agency of Education.

i. Where joint action by both state boards is required, each state board shall deliberate and vote by its own majority, but shall separately reach the same result or take the same action as the other state board.

j. The terms "professional staff personnel" and "instructional staff personnel" shall include superintendents, assistant superintendents, administrative assistants, principals, guidance counselors, special education personnel, school nurses, therapists, teachers, and other licensed personnel.

k. The term "warrant" or "warning" to mean the same for both states. (Added 1967, No. 243 (Adj. Sess.); amended 1989, No. 118, § 3; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 93, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)