HB1358

Let’s be honest: this is another attempt to NOT fund public schools. Shameful!

This is a ridiculous bill, further attempting to destroy public education. There is already a mechanism for setting up charter schools under our public education system if a district wishes to do so. Rep. Osborne and other Free Staters want to abolish public education. I believe strong public schools are a foundation of a strong democracy.

Charter schools, like private schools, will push Christian conservative principles and teachings. If we lose our public schools, it will be very difficult to get them back. This is a terrible idea.

The way I understand it, this bill would establishing a commission to study converting all public schools to Charter Schools. This just seems like a waste of time and money. We should not even think about converting all of our schools to charter schools. We should finally commit to funding our local neighborhood public schools.

This is wrong. Not so subtle attempt to ruin public schools. VOTE NO!!!

New Hampshire needs to smarten up and support quality public schools, not undermine them consistently.

There is no need to transition to a charter school if the state pays it's fair share. I believe this is a way to decrease the number of certified teachers and their benefits. Why do we need ceritfied teachers and not computers: I had a freshman student in my honors geometry class who came from a charter school. She had an A in algebra 1 and an A in geometry at her charter school so the father assumed she'd be ready for honors geometry at the local public HS. Needless to say the father was very surprised when I met with him concerning his daughters readiness for Honors geometry. After checking her skills, the daughter was place in a regular level Algebra 1. He had heard good things about the charter school and wasn't concerned because she was getting A's. No accountability of those in charter schools. Do they even do state testing? ALSO: Certification Requirements: At least 50% of the teaching staff must hold a New Hampshire teacher certificate or have a minimum of three years of classroom experience. Flexibility: Charter schools can hire individuals without traditional certification for the remaining positions. Governing Rules: These requirements fall under New Hampshire’s charter school regulations, which allow for more flexibility in staffing compared to traditional public schools.

I am a product of public school systems and completed a PhD in physics never feeling my education lacking. These institutions are the bedrock of our country and we should be investing in and supporting them. I am not totally opposed to Charter Schools but I have seen the dark side too years ago in DC. The legislature needs to be focused on funding and improving our public schools system, first and foremost, to ensure all our granite state children are being given opportunity.

Charter schools are private. I OPPOSE this nail in the coffin.

This bill is stupid. t is critical that the people filling these positions are experts in public education and not part of the political system. Superintendents absolutely should not be elected and thus beholden to the games of politics and concerns of reelection, but rather carefully selected by the school board to best suit the needs of their district. Equally important is the fact that a single superintendent per county will result in a lack of support, dedicated superintendent time, and resources for EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT. One person cannot possibly have a real presence in every district within a county, much less truly get to know the districts, their individual needs, and be available at any moment for their students and staff. It is an impossibility. . Constrained by time. the role would became reactive instead of proactive, and a disservice to students and families, teachers, and the communities they serve. This bill is another attempt to dismantle our public schools, brick by brick.

I Oppose HB 1358

This is crazy. The function of our public schools is to provide equal education to raise up productive thoughtful citizens. That take professionals, not wannabe policymakers who can't even read the US Constitution, apparently.

Please ITL HB 1358. It is an ill-conceived effort to further dismantle our public schools. If you truly want to save money, repeal the "no limits" payments to fund private and parochial schools with tax payer dollars. Thank you.

This is another attempt to weaken public schools and local control. Charter schools are less accountable than public schools and have less local control.

Charter schools are draining our public schools where everyone is able to learn.

I completely oppose transitioning public schools to charter schools - even the suggestion of it is corrosive. Our public school system is what built this nation offering a good free education as a stepping stone into a career regardless of economic background. It's slow erosion over the past couple of decades through disastrous politics that have continually cut funding and support has contributed to our country's overall decline- not just academically but economically. We need to reinvest in public schools, support teachers and administers to offer the best local and free education to the children of New Hampshire so that the next generation can thrive. Eroding and then dismantling the public school system (to be replaced with charter schools) will particularly impact children in very rural and less affluent areas, it could set these citizens behind for generations to come. Protect our public schools!

I oppose all fascist attempts to destroy public education and the commons

Charter schools will not improve education. Stop mucking about and support the school structure as it is.

As a parent of three school aged sons, I support NH public schools and do not want to see changes that will move education in NH towards a charter school system.

This is an attempt to destroy public education I am opposed to this on every level Don’t let these folks tear down our country.

I am strongly opposed to this bill. It does not support the concept of public education for all children in our communities.

This is another attempt to destroy public education in New Hampshire

Another attempt to to destroy public education

Killing public schools to replace them with charter schools will destroy education in New Hampshire. It will replace publicly accountable schools for scattered private schools subject to no oversight and thus open to misuse. HB 1358 is dangerous and must be stopped.

I am writing to strongly oppose HB1358. Public schools are the backbone of our community. Currently, converting a public school to a charter school requires a deliberate process involving school board approval and a 2/3 majority vote. HB1358 seeks to dismantle these safeguards by allowing a simple majority vote to trigger a permanent change in governance, by bypassing the local meetings where neighbours discuss long-term impacts on their children and their taxes. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this hearing was scheduled during school vacation week. This timing limits the ability of Parents and teachers affected by this Bill to be present. I urge the committee to vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1358.