Portsmouth School Committee on Dec. 9 voted unanimously to approve its primary legislative priorities for 2026, focusing on transportation funding and school funding-formula concerns, and retained language calling for a review of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) determination processes.

Committee members discussed last year's outcomes on transportation legislation — including a change allowing small-van passenger counts to increase from six to eight and measures intended to ease driver shortages — and agreed to continue pushing for funding that would help local transportation needs. A member noted certain regional re-envisioning proposals from the prior session did not advance and would not affect Portsmouth directly.

Several members urged continuing to press for ESSA-review language to give districts more voice in how students are educated and to clarify funding responsibilities. "I still think it's really important, state issue," one member said during debate.

The motion to approve the two primary items and include the ESSA language passed unanimously, 6–0. Committee leadership said they will coordinate with town representatives and department staff as state legislators consider these items during the 2026 session.