It’s said that when you put a frog in a pot and turn the temperature up very slowly, the frog doesn’t realize it’s doom until too late. That is how the New Hampshire legislature is trying to destroy public education in our state. Despite a constitutional obligation to “cherish the interest of public schools,” the Education Freedom Account laws increasingly divert funds for public schools to parents who choose other educational options. At first, eligibility was limited to families who earned less than 300% of the federal poverty level. Then, it was raised to 350%. This year, the Senate passed a bill to expand funding to everyone regardless of income level. Currently, the program is diverting $27.7 million from public schools. Making eligibility unlimited is estimated to cost at least an additional $6-11 million in the next 2 years, and up to $100 million. Who do you think will pay for budget shortfalls in our local schools? Besides diverting funds, the Senate last year passed a bill that allowing the Department of Education to ban books. This year, the Senate passed a “parental bill of rights” that among other things gives parents the right to “direct the education and moral training” of their minor children. Taking money from public schools and creating new paths for parents to dispute how public schools operate is taking us down a path to destroy public education. The water is getting warmer. Pay attention now.

Robert Moses

Concord