School Finance Data System (State Version)

The Bureau of School Finance (the Agency) within the Division of Education Analytics and Resources of the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) is responsible for overseeing, reporting, and collecting school financial data. The Agency calculates statutorily defined State aid payments to both traditional school districts and charter public schools used to support adequate education as well as other State aid programs. Additionally, the Agency provides technical assistance and support to schools, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

In September 2023, the Agency was awarded a grant to make substantial upgrades to the school finance data collection processes and systems from the US Department of Education (USED). On March 15, 2024, the fiscal committee of the New Hampshire General Court accepted those funds. The Agency then added a staff member to oversee the federal grant as the Project Manager in August 2024.

The grant expires on September 27, 2027, with the likelihood of a two-year grant extension period. To review further details on this grant, please refer to NHED’s website at: https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of- education-and-analytic-resources/bureau-school-finance/us-education-school-finance-grant. The three primary goals of the grants are as follows: 1) revamp the NH Chart of Accounts and improve data standardization, 2) build robust and flexible financial data collection system, and 3) better integrate and increase depth of finance analytical tools.

This RFP addresses goals 2 & 3 of this grant. Project Overview/Justification Embedded within a school district’s financial reporting system is a set of codes and definitions for recording financial transactions. This is referred to as the account code classification system or Chart of Account