Learn about impact of education vouchers
As New Hampshire property taxes continue to rise, residents should take a closer look at policies that are quietly shifting costs onto local communities. One such policy is the expansion of Educational Freedom Account vouchers.
EFAs redirect public education dollars to private schools, yet they do nothing to reduce the fixed costs of operating public schools. Towns must still maintain buildings, run buses and pay educators and staff. When state funding is siphoned away through vouchers, local taxpayers are left to make up the difference through higher property taxes or cuts to public school programs.
This dynamic disproportionately affects working- and middle-class residents while offering public subsidies with limited transparency or accountability. Strong public schools are a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s communities, workforce and property values. Weakening them ultimately harms everyone, not just families with children currently in school.
These concerns will be discussed at a Zoom presentation on Monday, Jan. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., hosted by the Tri-Town Democrats of Barnstead, Gilmanton and Alton. Brandon Lemay of Rights & Democracy will examine how school voucher programs impact public education funding and local property taxes, with time for public questions and discussion.
Before expanding EFAs further, New Hampshire residents deserve a full and honest conversation about their real costs. Please reach out to tritowndems@gmail.com to register for this free program.