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New Hampshire Commissioner of Education

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New Hampshire Commissioner of Education

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General information
Office Type:  Nonpartisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $123,120
2025 FY Budget:  $1,537,819,576
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:  New Hampshire Statutes, Title I, Chapter 21-N, Section 21-N:2
Selection Method:  Appointed by Governor
Current Officeholder(s)

New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Caitlin Davis
Nonpartisan
Assumed office: August 5, 2025

Other New Hampshire Executive Offices
Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Director of Fish & Game • Public Utilities Commission

The New Hampshire Commissioner of Education is a state executive position in the New Hampshire state government.

The commissioner "is responsible for the organizational goals of the department and represents the public interest in the administration of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative and instructional services to all public schools in New Hampshire."[1]

Current officeholder

The current New Hampshire Commissioner of Education is Caitlin Davis (nonpartisan). Davis assumed office in 2025.

Authority

Per Title I, Chapter 21-N, Section 21-N:2 of the New Hampshire Statutes:[2]

There is hereby established the department of education, an agency of the state under the executive direction of a commissioner of education.

Qualifications

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

Appointments

Per Title I, Chapter 21-N, Section 21-N:3 of the New Hampshire Statutes, the governor, with consultation from the board of education, appoints the commissioner of education to a four-year term.[3]

Vacancies

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

Duties

The duties of the commissioner are outlined in Title 1, Section 21-N:4 of the New Hampshire Statutes:

:I. Establishing the organizational goals of the department and representing the public interest in the administration of the functions of the department of education and being responsible to the governor, the general court, and the public for such administration.
II. Having the authority, subject to the approval of the governor and council, to accept gifts, contributions, and bequests of unrestricted funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations or institutions for the purpose of furthering the policy objectives of the department of education as set forth in RSA 21-N:1 and except as prohibited by any other provision of law.
III. Providing for a fair hearings unit within the commissioner's office which shall, when not inconsistent with federal law, conduct all hearings required under the provisions of RSA 186-C or any state or federal law or regulation. Such hearings shall be conducted as adjudicative proceedings as provided in RSA 541-A. The hearing officer, when appropriate and when not inconsistent with state or federal law, shall present proposed findings and recommendations to the commissioner who shall, upon review of the record, issue a final decision in the matter.
IV. Representing the department on boards, commissions, committees, and professional associations, or appointing a designee.
V. Establishing procedures to provide school administrative units with professional staff services, including direct services to school administrative units in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative and instructional services. Such services shall include, but not be limited to, assistance in addressing problems, resolving disputes, and planning for internal reorganization; development of clearer role definitions for superintendents, assistant and associate superintendents, and school boards; and provision of resources and programs for board training and community education regarding school administrative unit functions and board and staff roles and responsibilities.
VI. Planning and applying for federal and other grants on a department-wide basis.
VII. Providing to the secretary of state in August of each year a list or lists of all colleges, universities, and career schools approved or licensed to operate in New Hampshire, all public high schools, and all nonpublic high schools in New Hampshire accredited by a private school accrediting agency recognized by the department of education.
VIII. With the advice of the state board of education, and in consultation with the deputy commissioner, the directors of the affected divisions, and the legislative oversight committee pursuant to RSA 193-C:8, transferring or assigning functions, programs, or services within or between any division. When transfers or assignments are enacted within the department that may require legislative action, the commissioner shall work with the legislative oversight committee to propose legislation supporting such transfers or assignments.
IX. Overseeing and providing, in conjunction with the deputy commissioner, the functions enumerated in RSA 21-N:5, I; RSA 21-N:6; RSA 21-N:7; and RSA 21-N:8.[4]

Divisions

As of February 1, 2021, the office of the commissioner contains the following divisions:

  • Workforce Innovation
  • Education Analytics and Resources
  • Learner Supports/Educational Improvement
  • Educator Support and Higher Education[5]

State budget

See also: New Hampshire state budget and finances

The budget for the New Hampshire Department of Education for Fiscal Year 2025 was $1,537,819,576.[6]

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $123,120, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $115,289, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]

2021

In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $113,509, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]

2020

In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $114,553, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]

2019

In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $114,553, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]

2018

In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $114,553, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]

2017

In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $114,553, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]

2016

In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $114,553, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]

2015

In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $114,553, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

2014

In 2014, the commissioner was paid an estimated $114,553, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]

2013

In 2013, the commissioner was paid an estimated $112,861, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]

Historical officeholders

From 1846-present, the state of New Hampshire has had 43 Commissioners of Education. During that period, the name of the position was changed three times, in 1850, 1867, and 1919, which is indicated under the column "Office Name."

Click "show" for New Hampshire former Commissioners of Education from 1846 to present.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms New Hampshire Commissioner of Education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

New Hampshire Commissioner of Education - Google News

Contact information

New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3860
Phone: 603-271-3494 or 603-271-3144
Fax: 603-271-1953
Email: virginia.barry@ed.state.nh.us

See also

New Hampshire State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ New Hampshire Department of Education, "Commissioner's Office," accessed February 1, 2021
  2. ↑ New Hampshire Statutes, "21-N:2 Establishment; General Functions," accessed February 1, 2021
  3. ↑ New Hampshire Statutes, "21-N:3 Commissioner; Deputy Commissioner; Directors; Compensation," accessed February 1, 2021
  4. ↑ New Hampshire Statutes, "Section 21-N:4," accessed February 1, 2021
  5. ↑ Department of Administrative Services, "Agency Budget Submission 2022-2023," accessed February 1, 2021
  6. ↑ New Hampshire Legislature, "HB 1-A Final Version," accessed December 6, 2023
  7. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
  8. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  9. ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
  10. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 26, 2021
  11. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 26, 2021
  12. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 26, 2021
  13. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 26, 2021
  14. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
  15. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
  16. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 3, 2014
  17. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014
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