Seana Hallberg - Dover NH Democrats

Dover School Board Ward 3

I’m Seana Hallberg, a proud Dover parent and disability advocate running for School Board in Ward 3. With lived experience raising children in the Dover school system, I know the importance of strong, inclusive schools. I serve on the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities Policy Committee, co-founded the New Hampshire Universal Changing Station Alliance promoting fully inclusive restrooms statewide, and provide neuro-affirming mental health care.

I’m running to ensure every Dover student feels supported, included, and prepared to succeed.

The biggest challenge Dover schools face right now isn’t inside the classroom—it’s the ongoing attack on public education itself. Across New Hampshire, districts like Dover are being asked to do more with less because the state continues to underfund our schools. This forces communities to rely heavily on property taxes, creating deep inequities and placing an unfair burden on families. When schools don’t receive adequate funding, the consequences ripple across every aspect of community life. Teachers and staff are stretched thin. Parents are asked to contribute more. Students lose access to programs that spark curiosity and creativity. And all the while, educators are being targeted for doing their jobs—teaching students to think critically, explore ideas, and learn from different perspectives.

Instead of ensuring schools have the resources they need, we’re seeing political efforts to censor curriculum, ban books, and strip away diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. These distractions don’t solve real problems; they harm students and drive passionate educators out of the profession. When national leaders talk about weakening or even eliminating the Department of Education, it only deepens the sense of instability facing our public schools.The truth is, what’s at stake isn’t the so-called “culture wars.” It’s whether our children get the chance to learn freely, ask hard questions, and develop the skills they’ll need for life beyond the classroom. Public schools are where children grow not only academically but socially and emotionally. They are where they learn empathy, civic responsibility, and how to contribute to their communities. To move Dover forward, we must stay focused on what truly matters.

First, we need fair funding reform so our schools get the resources they deserve without pushing more costs onto local taxpayers. Second, we must support and protect our educators and librarians, ensuring they can teach without fear of political retaliation. Third, we must defend inclusive education, because every student deserves to feel respected and represented in their school community. And finally, we must stand up for public schools at every level of government, rejecting privatization schemes that drain funds and weaken accountability. Strong public schools are the heart of Dover. When our schools are well-funded and supported, property values rise, businesses grow, and families choose to build their lives here. Investing in education isn’t just the right thing to do for our children—it’s the smartest investment we can make for our city’s long-term growth and stability.

Now more than ever, Dover needs leaders who will fight for our educators, defend our students’ right to learn, and ensure that public education remains strong, equitable, and inclusive for generations to come. Because when Dover’s schools thrive, our entire community thrives with them.

About Seana

BS in Child Development and Family Studies, Purdue University
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, New England College
Mental Health Counselor Providing Neuro-Affirming Care
Parent Representative (3-Year Term), NH Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) Policy Committee
Graduate, NH Leadership Program (’22) and LEND, UNH Institute on Disability (’23)
Active Member, ABLE-NH Seacoast Chapter
Active Disability Advocate with a Focus on Policy and Social Justice
Podcaster for NHCDD – “That’s Inclusive!”