Lawmakers advance amendment to give state power over school districts in financial distress

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

New Hampshire lawmakers are bringing forward new legislative ideas to the State House to prevent another financial collapse at a local school district.

Rep. Glenn Cordelli is calling for change in the wake of the Claremont School District's budget shortfall that was discovered earlier this year.

"The intent here is to make sure things are in place so that we address the failures of Claremont," Cordelli said.

He is bringing forward an amendment that would empower the state to intervene in future situations, allowing the New Hampshire Board of Education to put local school districts on probation and appoint an administrative overseer.

The amendment says that for up to one year, the overseer can "override any decisions of the school district's board or the school distr