Letter: Both sides are wrong on education funding

Published: 01-12-2025 4:00 PM

The drama with the Pembroke and Kearsarge regional school districts has brought public school funding to the public’s attention. The problem is both sides of the issue are wrong. One side believes the state needs to pay more towards education. The problem with this group is they never say how. Is the state going to raise taxes on workers? Is the state going to raise taxes on New Hampshire businesses? Unless the state has a bag of gold stashed away someone is going to be left with the bill. According to the Education Data Initiative, New Hampshire has the seventh highest per student spending in the country. This includes both state and local funding. Why is that? Does New Hampshire have a higher percentage of kids with special education requirements? Does New Hampshire have a higher percentage of administrators that make six figures? Maybe our new governor’s COGE team can investigate this.

The other side of the aisle is equally wrong with their universal Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). EFAs for students in public schools is probably a wash for taxpayers so that is okay. EFAs for students outside the public school system are outrageous. A student that costs taxpayers zero dollars today after EFAs costs taxpayers five thousand dollars. Please explain to me how that is fiscally responsible. Any politician that supports expanded EFAs can’t claim to be a fiscal conservative. New Hampshire needs new ideas that don’t involve more money or grifting off taxpayers.

Adam Czarkowski

Penacook

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Broken elevator in senior apartments leaves ten or more unable to exit building
Special education takes center stage at Epsom school budget deliberative session
If approved, NH would require pro-life abortion videos in public schools
As Loudon pinches pennies, selectman calls on residents to reject Merrimack Valley School District’s budget
Emotions spill out at Merrimack Valley schools budget hearing following $2m overspending disclosure
64 skiers, stranded on lift at Cannon Mountain, lowered to the ground by ropes