The goal of a New Hampshire constitutionally mandated education is to enable all children to become competitors in the marketplace, to become competent in the life skills needed to succeed in society and participate in our democracy. This includes children eligible for special education services.

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Since 1784, with the adoption of the state constitution, public education in the Granite State had been funded primarily with local taxes.

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However, the Claremont school funding decisions in the 1990s flatly renounced this premise by stating:

“Whatever the State identifies as comprising constitutional adequacy it must pay for. None of that financial obligation can be shifted to local school districts, regardless of their relative wealth or need.” 

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Currently, public schools in the US are typically funded with federal, state and local dollars. On average, the mix is approximately 10% federal dollars, 45% state dollars and 45% local dollars. In New Hampshire, if you accept information presented by the state, the mix is approximately10% federal dollars, 20% state dollars and 70% local dollars (through property taxes).

 

Given the stark differences in income across various communities throughout the state, it is misleading to believe an adequate New Hampshire public education (as dictated by the State constitution) is currently available to all children within the state.

 

Furthermore, since the introduction and implementation of Educational Freedom Accounts, funds have been diverted away from NH's public education system. 

 

Given that New Hampshire has not yet met its constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education for all children, I believe state funds dedicated to education should go to adequate funding for traditional public schools and the choices provided by this system, not Education Freedom Accounts or alternatives.