The recent NH Supreme Court decision on the school funding ConVal case is significant and sends a direct message to the legislature to act on the ruling.
Just what did the decision entail:1. It endorsed the over 30-year judicial precedence that the state needs to provide fiscal resources to provide an adequate education for all NH students. 2. It admonished the state’s inability to justify its current $4,100 level of state funding. 3. It acknowledged the basis for a new process of calculating state aide funding and the greater need for state support of schools, which by the way, was a recommendation of the 2020 School Funding Commission. 4. It, for the first time, established a “conservative” benchmark of state aid at $7,356.5.
It recognized, for now, the “separation of powers” directing the legislature to play its legislative role in adjusting the current inadequate level of funding.
The immediate response from Gov. Ayotte and the Republican leadership is indeed disappointing. However, it was not unexpected. For over 30 years, the legislature has failed in its duty to provide proper funding for public education. While the current elected Republicans advocate for only 10% of New Hampshire’s total student population who attend private and religious schools (voucher program), they turn a blind eye to the needs of public schools and the remaining 90% of our students.
While local school property taxes continue to increase, elected Republicans continue to cut state revenue sources.
Mel Myler
Contoocook