Issue Position: Education Funding

Issue Position

It's time to take a comprehensive look at how the State funds public schools
In 2000 all state aid for public schools went only to local school districts. Now we have quasi-public charter schools with a separate aid program, a private school/ home school voucher program (enacted in 2012), and direct state funding of an online school that can be used by any school aged resident of the state at no cost.
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Let's consider:
Should state funding for school districts be only $3,600 per student, when districts spend on average $15,000 per student?
Is a flat per student funding rate the best approach, or should district size and urban/rural be factors?
Should charters schools, which are exempt from many rules (such as using only certified teachers and providing transportation) be receiving $7,000 per student?
Should tax credits for business taxes and the interest and dividend tax be used to subsidize scholarships to private religious schools? Families with income below 3 times the poverty level ($75,000 for a family of four) are eligible. Tax credits mean less state revenue available for other programs.

The State's top priority should be its constitutional responsibility to provide school districts with sufficient funding to cover the cost of an adequate education.
See my school funding action plan
Public Schools should be Gun Free Zones
Students deserve to safe learning environment, and it is the responsibility of the school districts and the state to protect students from harm.
See my school safety plan
Funding for our public colleges and universities
Scholarships are a great idea for making college affordable for students, but maintaining quality programs is equally important. Quality programs will attract more students, and our graduates will have better career prospects. Great faculty, great programs and great students will attach new businesses to the state.

Each year the State provides funding to the University System (Plymouth State, Keene State and UNH) for their operating budget (this excludes building projects). This year's appropriation is $81 million. I will advocate for restoring funding to the 2009 pre-recession level of $100 million. In a state ranking of public per student college funding, NH is at the bottom of the list.

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