As a retired principal and teacher, I have appreciated the recent articles about the Concord Regional Technical Center. I have seen the importance of these regional centers to the young people of our state and to our state economy. The most recent article focused on a visit to the Center by Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who asked Principal Anne Fowler what the state could do to support the program. Principal Fowler responded that the state needs to address the state funding shortfalls. State funding for the program has decreased since 2020 and is flat-funded in the governor’s current budget under discussion in the legislature. Costs are downshifted to local communities that are struggling with rising tuition costs. Gov. Ayotte responded that increasing state funding would not be her first approach, but she did not share other approaches that she was pursuing to cover these costs. The governor supports providing Education Freedom Account vouchers to the wealthiest families in the state for children who do not need the funds to pursue their dreams. She is ignoring the dreams of another whole group of our state’s children. I have great regard for Anne Fowler’s professionalism as she spoke clearly and directly to Gov. Ayotte. I have no regard for Gov. Ayotte, who used a visit to the Concord Regional Technical Center for cheap publicity without any intention of furthering the goals of the Center.

Martha A. Hunt

Sutton