During the Senate Finance Committee’s Public Hearing on the state budget, NHSFFP delivered a petition with over 400 signatures from Granite Staters as testimony to show the broad support for education funding reform and treating students and property taxpayers fairly. The signatures represent 131 cities and towns and come from every county in New Hampshire.
“Clearly, Granite Staters are fed up with our unfair school funding system,” NHSFFP Executive Director Zack Sheehan said. “People see the impacts of low state funding for education every single day, and they are making it clear they want a change. The legislature needs to use this budget as an opportunity to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to fund education and treat students and taxpayers fairly.”
A similar letter, signed by over 150 local elected officials, was delivered to the House Finance Committee during its budget hearing in March.
May 2, 2023
Chairman Gray and Members of the Senate Finance Committee,
The State continues to fail to meet its constitutional obligation to fund public education, leaving a significant gap in funding between what it contributes per student (about $4,700), and the actual cost of education (about $19,000 per student). The difference is downshifted to our local property taxes year after year, harming students and residents in New Hampshire communities that are less able to raise funds. This system has continued for decades despite multiple NH Supreme Court rulings that it is unconstitutional. It has continued despite the findings of the 2020 Commission to Study School Funding showing increasing rates for taxpayers and fewer educational opportunities for students in communities with low property values.
A letter signed by over 150 local elected officials outlining these problems and the need to fix them was delivered to lawmakers during the House budget hearing in March. The budget that was originally proposed by the Governor would have hurt school districts with the highest need even more than the current system by reducing funding for these districts by $1.3 billion over the next ten years. The House Finance Committee did not address these issues in their recommended changes to the budget. Ultimately, thanks to bipartisan action on the floor of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, targeted, need-based funding was reintroduced to the budget. This signals that there is broad support for providing need-based funding to the New Hampshire communities that need it most. As positive as these developments may be, lawmakers still have a long way to go to address our inequitable school funding system.
As citizens, constituents, parents, taxpayers, business owners, and Granite Staters, we call on the Senate to develop an equitable and comprehensive school funding solution that works for every community in New Hampshire. We should not be paying wildly different property tax rates because the legislature refuses to act. Our children’s access to an adequate education should not be solely based on our property values. Until the State takes action to comply with its constitutional responsibility to fund our schools, the educational and economic development opportunities that come with good schools and low taxes will not be available to everyone. We urge you to use this state budget as a vehicle to address this problem and support a fair funding solution for every student and taxpayer in New Hampshire.
Respectfully,
Claudia Istel, Acworth
Merryl Goldman, Alexandria
Maureen Higham, Allenstown
Keith Klawes, Allenstown
Ryan Mahoney, Allenstown
Ellen Jahos, Alstead
Margaret LaRaia, Amherst
Kathryn Schmidt, Amherst
Mary Anne Broshek, Andover
Carmelita Moe, Andover
Marie Nardino, Andover
William Radzelovage, Andover
Denise Legault, Atkinson
Elizabeth Duck, Auburn
Roger Gingrich, Barrington
Muriel Dubois, Bedford
Margaret Henrichon, Bedford
Emily Hinton, Bedford
Annemarie Quinn, Bedford
Diane St Germain, Bedford
Dwight Swauger, Benton
Catrina Annis, Berlin
Rep. Corinne Cascadden, Berlin
Julie King, Berlin
Martha Laflamme, Berlin
Lori Langlois, Berlin
Nathan Morin, Berlin
Linda Poulin, Berlin
Anthony Valliere, Berlin
Erin Talcott, Bethlehem
Jacqueline Coe, Bow
Karen Reynolds, Bradford
John Reynolds, Bradford
Steven Dawson, Brentwood
Jennifer Dolloff, Brookline
Tracy Perry, Brookline
Elise Foxall, Canaan
Liz Knowlton, Canaan
Hope Stragnell, Canaan
Charles Townsend, Canaan
Doris Hampton, Canterbury
Mark Hampton, Canterbury
Patrice Rasche, Canterbury
Stephen Rasche, Canterbury
Lyla Adkins, Center Barnstead
Jane Westlake, Center Barnstead
Brenda Baker, Charlestown
Joseph DeBartolomao, Charlestown
Lisa DeBartolomao, Charlestown
Mary Holmes, Charlestown
Joan Ilves, Charlestown
Katie Lajoie, Charlestown
John Lajoie, Charlestown
Shelley Saylor, Charlestown
Sara Valli, Charlestown
Lianne Crowley, Chester
Charlotte Lister, Chester
Manette Pacheco, Chester
Ann Podlipny, Chester
Royal Richardson, Chester
Benjamin Brown, Chichester
Suzanne Butler, Chichester
Heather Chiavaras, Chichester
Tammy Jameson, Chichester
Brenda Baker, Claremont
Jimmie Baker, Claremont
John Cloutier, Claremont
Thomas Connair, Claremont
James Contois, Claremont
Candace Crawford, Claremont
Julie Davis, Claremont
Patricia Dexter, Claremont
Liza Draper, Claremont
Donna Foster, Claremont
Tracey Hanson, Claremont
Ashley Johnson, Claremont
Charlene Lovett, Claremont
Donna Montenegro, Claremont
Allison St. Aubin, Claremont
Amanda Steinberg, Claremont
Zackary Thomas, Claremont
Amber Calhoun, Colebrook
Craig Hamelin, Colebrook
Christina Hebert, Colebrook
Roxie Heist, Colebrook
Brooke Kenney, Colebrook
Darcy Smith, Colebrook
Michelle Strasburger, Colebrook
Tim Ames, Concord
Patricia Bass, Concord
Patrice Brown, Concord
Claudia Damon, Concord
Mary Davies, Concord
Jillian Dubois, Concord
Michael Evans, Concord
Jerry Frew, Concord
Marion Gazaway, Concord
Daniel Gazaway, Concord
Michael Macri, Concord
Linda Mattlage, Concord
Casey Neal, Concord
Ruth Perencevich, Concord
Donna Reardon, Concord
Maureen Redmond-Scura, Concord
Sarah Robinson, Concord
Jim Schlosser, Concord
Zack Sheehan, Concord
Louise Spencer, Concord
Mary Wilke, Concord
Renia Woods, Concord
Linda Ruth Berger, Contoocook
Patrice Fredette, Contoocook
Christa Scura, Contoocook
- Lisa Sheiman, Contoocook
Janet Ward, Contoocook
Kris Cairelli, Croydon
Susan Kimball, Croydon
Amanda Leslie, Croydon
Samantha Nelson, Croydon
Christopher Prost, Croydon
Ryan Shackett, Croydon
William Smith, Croydon
Edward Spiker, Croydon
Lynn Touchette, Croydon
Patricia Walke, Croydon
Brenda Williams, Croydon
Laura Messer, Danbury
Linda Wilson, Danbury
Jacqueline Trimmer, Deerfield
Chris Bober, Deering
Craig Cunningham, Derry
Elle Gallo, Derry
Michelle Moge, Derry
Maybeth Anderson, Dover
Dustin Beckemeyer, Dover
Micaela Demeter, Dover
Brian Eibert, Dover
Heidi Henninger, Dover
Linds Jakows, Dover
Jo Jordon, Dover
Andrew Wallace, Dover
Debra Foster, Dunbarton
Pam Mueller, Durham
Susan Richman, Durham
Katie Wheeler, Durham
Jen Dervan, East Kingston
Peter Dervan, East Kingston
Erin Vosgien, East Kingston
Maureen Prohl, Elkins
James Fenn, Enfield
Aarron Dupuis, Epping
Brendon Follansbee, Epping
Jason Follansbee, Epping
Michelle Mylott, Epping
Jordenne Sargent, Epping
Mark Vallone, Epping
Kiki Donis-Wahl, Exeter
Maura Fay, Exeter
Richard Ballou, Farmington
Emmanuel Krasner, Farmington
Glenn Oswald, Farmington
Judith Ackerson, Franklin
Scott Burns, Franklin
Delaney Carrier, Franklin
Laurie Cass, Franklin
Vincent Ribas, Franklin
William Yacopucci, Franklin
Betty Erickson, Georges Mills
Kevin Pentz, Gilford
Terry Burlingame, Gilmanton Iron Works
Jennifer Beaudet, Goffstown
Nicole Bump, Goffstown
Barbara Carbonneau, Goffstown
Carolyn Cicciu, Goffstown
Heather Glynn, Goffstown
Alexandria Hill, Goffstown
Daniel McCrum, Gorham
Deborah McCrum, Gorham
Carolyn Stiles, Goshen
Christine Conroy, Grantham
Vivian Dolkart, Grantham
Karla Karash, Grantham
Sara Lang, Grantham
Susan Orkin, Grantham
Karen Day, Greenfield
Sue Kim, Greenfield
Brendan Minnihan, Greenfield
Lisa DeMio, Hampstead
Karl Hubner, Hampstead
Laurie Warnock, Hampstead
Colton Cadarette, Hampton
Chayleigh Cadarette, Hampton
Kathy Anderson, Hancock
Ed Butler, Hart’s Location
Cathy Mayne, Henniker
Eric Herr, Hill
Terry Smith, Hill
Veronica Harris, Holderness
Frances Taylor, Holderness
Scott Zipke, Hopkinton
Deborah Cantrell, Hudson
Kathleen Logan, Hudson
Nancy Ancharski, Keene
Marie Duggan, Keene
Jennifer Friedman, Keene
Nicholas Germana, Keene
John Hayward, Keene
Sandra Swinburne, Keene
Kathy Berman, Laconia
Teresa Donovan, Laconia
Jane Brickett, Lancaster
Paula Frank, Lancaster
Derek HasBrouck, Lancaster
Ronna HasBrouck, Lancaster
Robert Scott, Lancaster
Kristen van Bergen-Buteau, Lancaster
John Fitzgerald, Lisbon
John Northrop III, Lisbon
Ed Friedrich, Loudon
Dennis Jakubowski, Loudon
Laurie Jaquith, Loudon
Jill Orndorff, Loudon
Corinne Rowe, Loudon
Laura Vincent, Loudon
Barry Brensinger, Manchester
Suzanne Chretien, Manchester
Derik Goodine, Manchester
Jessica Hagg, Manchester
Madelyn McCluskey, Manchester
Karen Soule, Manchester
Marcella Termini, Manchester
Courtney Tomes, Manchester
Olivia Bregani, Marlborough
Tina Fava, Marlow
Richard Lammers, Marlow
Aime Reed, Marlow
Stephanie Tickner, Marlow
Jessica Gagne, Merrimack
Shannon Taylor, Milan
Julia Griffin, Milford
Claire Holston, Milford
Kim Paniagua, Milford
Cynthia Couture, Moultonborough
Jessica Goff, Nashua
Ernest Jette, Nashua
Pamela Jordan, Nashua
Cynthia Knowles, Nashua
Regan Lamphier, Nashua
John McCannon, Nashua
Dorothy Oden, Nashua
Carry Spier, Nashua
Noah Telerski, Nashua
Thomas Woodward, Nashua
Tom Buttrick, Nelson
Misty Crompton, New Boston
Rebecca Audet, New Castle
Ellen Phillips, New Durham
Lisa Clark, New Hampton
Elizabeth Hager, New Hampton
Tamara Van Lenten, New Hampton
Courtney Campe, New London
Elaine Robar, New London
Alan Shulman, New London
Robert Hemenway, Newbury
Gabriele Lieberg, Newfields
Michael Cahill, Newmarket
Joseph Lamattina, Newmarket
Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarket
Jennifer Aldridge, Newport
Amy Beaulieu, Newport
Bruce Beford, Newport
Jessica Benson, Newport
Mary Boardman, Newport
Kathryn Boutin, Newport
Linda Dennis, Newport
Carol Dombroski, Newport
Howard Dunn, Newport
Margot Estabrook, Newport
Lisa Ferrigno, Newport
Lori Flewelling, Newport
Todd Fratzel, Newport
Christine Fratzel, Newport
Donna Gagner, Newport
Steven George, Newport
Elizabeth Gibbs, Newport
Stephanie Gilson, Newport
Robert Gilson, Newport
Regina Grantham, Newport
Keri Greenwood, Newport
Hillary Halleck, Newport
Chad Howe, Newport
Kathy Hubert, Newport
G.M. Jachim, Newport
Laurel Jackson, Newport
Gloria Jean Johnson, Newport
Jeffrey Kessler, Newport
Susan Latham, Newport
John Lunn, Newport
Ann MacConnell, Newport
Becky McAllister, Newport
Terry Morgan, Newport
Rep. Skip Rollins, Newport
Mary Schissel, Newport
Robert Seavey, Newport
Stephanie Spiker, Newport
Ann Stout, Newport
Herbert Tellor Jr, Newport
Andrea Thorpe, Newport
Joanne Truell, Newport
Victoria Turcot, Newport
Charen Urban, Newport
Frank Wiggins, Newport
Gail Wild, Newport
Judy Wilson, Newport
Christopher Young, Newport
Kim Marie Fudge, North Conway
Robert Barry, North Hampton
Susan McCullom-Barry, North Hampton
Laurie Melanson, North Haverhill
Bonnie Balsamo, North Stratford
Eric Brungot, North Stratford
Stacey Campbell, North Stratford
Heather McMann, North Stratford
Dane Headley, North Sutton
Barbara D. Reed, North Swanzey
Joyce Fulweiler, Northfield
Tom Chase, Northwood
Stuart Fyfe, Nottingham
Charlotte Fyfe, Nottingham
Rusty Keith, Orford
Susan Harden, Pelham
David Doherty, Pembroke
Sharon Eaton, Pembroke
Clinton Hanson, Pembroke
Tracy Bricchi, Penacook
Stephanie Edwards, Penacook
Kate Coon, Peterborough
Joseph Ierna, Peterborough
Laurie McGowan, Peterborough
Abigail Meyer, Peterborough
Bruce Berk, Pittsfield
Susan Russo, Plainfield
Nancy Bishop, Plaistow
Eleanor Bird, Portsmouth
Thaddeus Jankowski, Portsmouth
Patrick Minnihan, Portsmouth
Lucianna Natkiel, Portsmouth
Richard Umiker, Randolph
Derek Haddad, Raymond
Beth Voce, Rochester
Erin Cavanaugh, Rollinsford
Abbie Bennis, Rumney
Lorna Carlisle, Salisbury
Dana Nute, Sanbornton
Karen Ulmer Dorsch, Sanbornton
Linda Jamison, Sandown
Nancy Starmer, Sandwich
Susan Collins, Seabrook
Donald Austin, Somersworth
Lori Lane, Somersworth
Carly Prescott, Somersworth
Michelle DellaVita, Spofford
Arthur Bobruff, Springfield
Barbara Holland, Springfield
Jan McGonagle, Stoddard
Elizabeth A Callahan, Strafford
Amy Kriete, Strafford
Wendy E Byrn, Sullivan
Catherineapa Bushueff, Sunapee
George Chait, Sunapee
Representative Hope Damon, Sunapee
Heide Hubert-Menard, Sunapee
Andrew Jobes, Suncook
Caroll Lothrop, Surry
Bruce Smith, Surry
Mary Breasted Smyth, Tamworth
Angela Driscoll, Tamworth
Maura King, Tamworth
Peter vonSneidern, Temple
Peggy Pschirrer, Walpole
Clyde Carson, Warner
Elizabeth Fenner-Lukaitis, Warner
Gary Lukaitis, Warner
Sara Mcneil, Warner
Faith Minton, Warner
Judy Pellettieri, Warner
Melissa St Pierre, Warner
Dorothy Gove, Warren
Chris Lea, Warren
Peter Lees, Warren
Janet Proost, Warren
David Trumble, Weare
Beth Bean, Wentworth
Susan Judd, Wentworth
Evelyn Michaud, Wentworth
Damon Kindopp, West Chesterfield
Carol Morrison, West Lebanon
William Morrison, West Lebanon
Rep. Tom Schamberg, Wilmot
Gene Jonas, Wilton
Wendy Carter, Windham
Phyllis Ward, Windham
Richard Guy, Woodsville