HB1831

I'm in full supportive passing HB 1831. This legislation it's important to education in New Hampshire, and it makes sense financially for both the school districts and the taxpayers. Please vote to pass HP 1831. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Jennifer Mugisha. I am a high school senior representative on the Manchester School Board, but I write this letter as someone who has lived in the Granite State all her life. Someone who has experienced what the urban public school system has to offer in this state for over a decade. Someone who has come to see its spirit and its drawbacks. I come to you as a member of the public to say this: there is a difference between equality and equity. Equality strives to make sure everyone is on the same playing field but fails to take into account the difficulties that start before players hit the field. Equity accounts for and addresses those external challenges, ensuring that everyone can play the game regardless of where they come from. I believe that this bill rightfully applies the principle of equity—equality with the context of each and every school, town, and city taken into mind. This bill will be an effective and long-awaited adjustment for the state funding formula, helping Granite Staters who need it most. To further the education of our state’s youth and to give the New Hampshire public school districts the tools and budget needed to do so, I request the passage of this bill. Thank you, Jennifer Mugisha

Dear Chair and Members of the Committee, My name is Kim Lawrence, and I am a resident of New Hampshire. I am writing in strong support of HB 1831-FN. New Hampshire families are being crushed by property taxes, and much of that pressure comes from how we fund public education. When the state fails to provide fair and adequate education funding, towns and cities are forced to make up the difference through local property taxes. That system is not sustainable for working families, seniors on fixed incomes, or young families trying to stay in New Hampshire. HB 1831 helps address this problem by repealing the cap on targeted aid used in determining education adequacy grants. Targeted aid—such as extraordinary needs grants and fiscal capacity disparity aid—exists to help communities with higher needs and weaker tax bases. But when this aid is capped, it shifts the cost burden right back onto local taxpayers. If we want to take pressure off property taxes, we must stop limiting the very funding designed to reduce inequities. HB 1831 is a practical step toward a more balanced and responsible education funding system that supports students while also supporting taxpayers. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Committee to vote Ought to Pass on HB 1831-FN. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Kim Lawrence Resident of New Hampshire

Reverses the partisan targeting of the Manchester school district education funding

I am a Manchester resident. I am in support of repealing this targeted cap aid. Students must get the value and help needed in our city. We all flourish when we value the life and education of students no matter what income they are in.

The state of New Hampshire needs to protect and support public education as a public good.

I am writing in support of HB 1831 and the repeal of the cap on targeted aid for districts with high numbers of low-income students. Last year’s state budget quietly imposed a cap on targeted aid for districts serving more than 5,000 low-income students. Manchester is the only district in New Hampshire that meets this threshold, making it the sole community affected by this policy. As a result, starting this year, Manchester stands to lose at least $10 million annually in funding for students who need support the most. This loss of aid does not make those needs disappear. Instead, it shifts the burden onto local taxpayers or forces schools to make cuts that directly impact classrooms, staffing, and student services. Neither outcome is fair or sustainable. Targeted aid exists to ensure that students with greater needs receive appropriate support. HB 1831 simply restores the original intent of that funding by allowing Manchester to receive the aid it already qualifies for under state law. Repealing this cap is a matter of equity, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring that all students—regardless of where they live—have access to the resources they need to succeed. I urge lawmakers to support HB 1831.

The future of Manchester lies in our children. While we've used public money to support private enterprise, sports teams, and private school education, and while we've eliminated other sources of revenue such as taxes on investments, we have chronically underfunded public school education. The cap on the State’s education aid, which applies only to Manchester, will strip at least $10 million annually in anticipated and fully warranted funding from Manchester's school district beginning next year. HB 1831 removes that cap and begins to move us in the direction of responsible, long-term funding for the education of Manchester's children.

Dear House Education Funding Committee: I am writing to show my support for House Bill 1831. As a resident of Manchester, a long-time NH resident, a decades long public educator, a mother, and human who believes all students should have access to the resources they need to thrive, I am in favor of repealing the amendment to last year's state budget placing a cap on funding for school districts with low-income populations larger than 5,000 students. Given that Manchester has the highest population of students from low-income backgrounds, has the most racially diverse student population, and being the ONLY school district in the state that has 5,000+ low income students, the add-on to last year's budget is unfair, unkind, and a penny wise and a pound foolish. Granite Staters are frugal, not foolish. This purported savings to the state falls onto the backs of Manchester taxpayers and will likely force the school district to make cuts for kids who need the most support. As a longtime public school educator, I have seen the impact of cuts in programming for students and families who need it most. For some, this may seem like a cost-savings to the state, but for families, these funds represent vital resources for much needed programs that will ultimately help families move out of challenging financial times and give NH kids a chance at the American Dream. Reducing such resources amidst this state's existing inadequate funding for public education is simply irresponsible and undermines NH's future. This trend of sneaking in and forcing through legislation in the state's budget more often does not represent the requests or values of the legislators' own constituents. This add-on and cap is a blatant shirking of the state's constitutional responsibility to fund public education, but moreover, it's this kind of shortsighted decision making that has a history of catalyzing preventable public health issues that cost lives. Such unsavory tactics do not represent NH values. I strongly support HB1831 and repealing the unfair, unkind add-on to the state's budget. Granite Staters are good neighbors and kind humans. We are honest and when folks need it. most, we show up for each other. I am asking our legislators to show up for NH's future and be the example our kids deserve. Thank you for hearing my testimony. Sincerely, Christina Kim Philibotte

I support this bill so that all towns receive the funding they should per-student. We should be funding in a way that supports our most in-need towns and schools as much as possible, to try to bridge the equity-gap that exists.

This is most definitely a discriminatory bill that punishes Manchester for taking care of the future workers in New Hampshire. Don’t employers want good workers? The students need knowledge to be those good workers. Unfortunately all babies are not born with equal physical attributes and social environments, Some require more services than others.

Manchester is a thriving city and improving everyday. But the under funding of the school system is driving young families away to other towns in search of a better education. Improving funding to Manchester's schools will provide both short and long term benefits to our largest city.

It's about time Manchester receives the resources it needs and deserves to support ALL children in our schools. Please finally make the funding fair and equitable.

Please ensure every community receives the funding it needs to help ALL of its students.

I would think that capping targeted aid to a particular cohort of students based solely on the size of that student cohort is unconstitutional, as our NH Constitution requires that the State provide an adequate education for EVERY child.

Show me the money, and I will show you the priority. Education is not enough of a priority for the state, or the Trump administration.. The Trump administration cut $ 44 million for N..H. education. The N.H. legislature repealed Interests and Dividend tax, which lost another $ 160 million. The N.H. Supreme Court said the legislature was violating the N.H.Constitution by woefully inadequate funding of public education. It is paying $ 4200 per student, it should be contributing $ 7300 minimum.Cost per student is approximately $ 18,000 in manchester, Average of $21,000 in nh N.H.legislature don't discriminate against Manchester. Allow Manchester to figure out what is necessary to fill in the gap created by the federal and state governments not fulfilling their obligation.

I am in support of HB1831 because students in New Hampshire with the greatest needs will be harmed by the proposed cap on targeted aid for districts with 5,000+ low-income students.

I believe this bill ascertains that the City of Manchester will rightfully receive the funding it is owed, correcting a bill from last year which placed a cap on the amount.

As a Manchester resident and retired teacher, I strongly support HR1831, even though the Governor signed the state budget trailer that the city wouldn't lose $14 million in state grants over two years.So, what occurs after that ends?

This bill would bring NH school funding closer to constitutional requirements. It would help property poor towns.

Manchester Schools should not be discriminated against.

Pass HB 1831. Our Manchester students need support for one and secondly, the shift should not be to local taxpayers or classroom cuts. Support this bill for the students as well as us the people (The TAXPAYERS).

If we do not support funding for low-income students, they will become a burden for the rest of us when they appear for emergency services because of illness or are driven to crime just to survive.