Increases the per-pupil base cost of an adequate education from $4,100 to $7,356.01 beginning in the 2025-2027 biennium and expands the definition of an adequate education.
modifying the base cost of an adequate education.
HB550 would raise the state's base per-pupil adequacy payment for public education, following the ConVal and Rand court rulings that found current funding insufficient. The overwhelming majority of submitters support the increase, citing constitutional funding obligations, relief from rising local property taxes, and concern about state rankings and Education Freedom Account vouchers, while a small number of opponents argue the bill improperly codifies a court ruling still under appeal or is too rigid in defining required costs.
Many submitters argue current base adequacy funding falls far short of the state's constitutional duty under the Claremont decisions and Article 83, and that the ConVal and Rand trials demonstrated this inadequacy with unrebutted evidence.
“Article 83 explicitly charges legislators and magistrates with "the duty" to "cherish" public education, while the landmark Claremont decisions firmly established that this obligation requires the state to define an adequate education and fund it fully.”
— Nicholas Bielinski, Manchester · #347990 — read full submission →
“During the ConVal trial in 2023, and the Rand trial last year, there was an overwhelming body of evidence presented that the State's current adequacy payments are insufficient to actually provide NH students with an adequate education.”
— John Zavgren, Wilton · #344960 — read full submission →
Submitters argue increasing the state's share of education funding would let communities lower property taxes or redirect funds to services they currently cannot afford, easing a burden many describe as unsustainable.
“and allow communities around the state to lower their property taxes or provide critical services to their students that they can’t currently afford.”
— John Zavgren, Wilton · #344960 — read full submission →
“The enormous burden of property taxes in the State of New Hampshire is forcing people to sell their homes, as a realtor I have seen this first hand.”
— Pamela Kenison, Concord · #345849 — read full submission →
A large number of submitters state support for the bill in a sentence or two without laying out a specific rationale.
Submitters, including teachers, school board members, and parents, describe firsthand effects of underfunding such as staffing cuts, deferred building maintenance, and inability to retain teachers.
“The taxpayers cannot afford to give the schools more money but the school are barely able to afford things we need. Wants like carpets that are not torn, ceilings that don't leak, and furniture that isn't falling apart are simply put off in many cases.”
— Rebecca Denslow, Washington · #343612 — read full submission →
“During our budget process in Milford, we have needed to make very difficult decisions, making staffing reductions and choosing between curriculum materials and snow removal.”
— Karin Cevasco, Milford · #342900 — read full submission →
Submitters frequently cite New Hampshire's low national ranking for the state's share of public education funding as evidence the current base adequacy rate is inadequate.
“New Hampshire ranks 50th in per pupil spending. That's right, Mississippi, Lousiana, and every other State spends more on education than New Hampshire.”
— Don Rankin, Wilton · #345893 — read full submission →
“It is a disgrace that New Hampshire ranks last nationally in the percentage of education funding provided by state revenues.”
— Susan Sarles, Rindge · #347604 — read full submission →
Some submitters argue that Education Freedom Account vouchers redirect public money to private and religious schools with little oversight while public schools remain underfunded, and that adequacy funding should take priority.
“Rather than draining our education funding and mis-using tax revenue (in my opinion) as a tax handout for religious schools, home schoolers with no known standards or qualifications, or gifting well-to-do families already sending their children to private schools with deep endowments”
— Elizabeth Zakon-Anderson, Hancock · #344184 — read full submission →
“Turning taxpayer money over to parents of private school students has the effect of starving public schools”
— David Allan, Wilmot · #343291 — read full submission →
Submitters argue investment in public education is essential to producing a skilled workforce and a strong future economy for New Hampshire.
“A strong economy requires an well-educated workforce. Dignity and fairness demand that we all take responsiblity to provide a good education for all.”
— Jeanie Holt, CONCORD · #344590 — read full submission →
“Quality education is critical for the future good health of New Hampshire.”
— Mark Pitman, Francestown · #348094 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that relying on local property taxes creates unequal educational opportunities depending on a town's property wealth, and that increased state funding would promote equity across districts.
“this means we have a pub lic school funding system where the academic opportunities available students vary widely throughout the state, simply because of varying property wealth.”
— Mary Wilke, CONCORD · #348457 — read full submission →
“leaving the poorer communities with sub-standard education for their children.”
— Leslie Ari, Chichester · #347640 — read full submission →
Submitters express frustration that the state has spent years litigating and delaying rather than complying with court rulings requiring adequate education funding.
“The state has already spent far too much time and resources litigating school funding, and it is time to support the Court's decision in the ConVal lawsuit.”
— Pamala Custer, West Lebanon · #344399 — read full submission →
“Stop going to court and wasting more taxpayer money in endless quest to weasel out your responsibilities. Do your jobs!”
— Elisabeth Dolan, Goffstown · #351078 — read full submission →
Opponents argue the bill would prematurely surrender to a lower-court ruling on education funding that is still being appealed to the Supreme Court, and would commit the state to large new spending before the legal question is resolved.
“HB 550, if enacted, would bust the budget, and constitute an abject pre-emptive surrender to the unconstitutional policy decision (disguised as an adjudication) made by Superior Court Judge Ruoff in the ConVal litigation.”
— Gregory Sorg, Easton · #345916 — read full submission →
“Another silly season bill seeking to codify unconstitutional judges order, under court appeal and which has not been resolved.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashua · #344037 — read full submission →
One opponent argues that specifying a fixed list of items that must be included in the cost of an adequate education is unduly restrictive and fails to account for new legislative requirements or differing circumstances across school districts.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 20, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
Long overdue, it is time for NH to provide additional funding to provide for an adequate education for public school students. The State has a moral obligation to fully support public education, which it has shirked for decades now. I strongly support HB550.
Long overdue, it is time for NH to provide additional funding to provide for an adequate education for public school students. The State has a moral obligation to fully support public education, which it has shirked for decades now. I strongly support HB550.
I absolutely support voting access by all eligible voters!
It's time for the legislature to take responsible action to support and fund public education throughout the state. The first step is increasing the amount of money required for an adequate education. The second step is canceling the outrageous voucher program. How disgraceful that we are sending some children to Disneyland while cities and towns struggle to meet the needs of children with special needs and maintain facilities for the vast majority of children who attend public schools. Stop going to court and wasting more taxpayer money in endless quest to weasel out your responsibilities. Do your jobs!
I wholeheartedly support HB550. The State's current adequacy payments are insufficient to provide NH students with an adequate education. This bill acknowledges this reality and moves the needle.
Public education funding is essential for our children. They deserve our best!
Our schools NEED these funds!! Our towns and cities cannot afford the property taxes! Show up NH!
To the members of the House Education Funding Committee: My name is Sean Parr and I am on the Manchester School Board where I Chair the Education Legislation Committee. Today I am speaking on behalf of the Manchester School Board, which has authorized me to advocate for fully funding education in NH. We support the increased base annual cost of providing an opportunity for an adequate education, as stated in HB550, as well as the expanded definition of an adequate education. Fully funding education in NH is desperately needed. Thank you for your consideration.
Well-funded public education = a stronger and more advanced economy and a better future for our children!
As a native NH retiree, I support HB 550. This bill would increase educational funding from the State by about $454 million, allowing communities to lower their property taxes, something that needs to happen. NH ranks 49th in state funding for public education, yet this Legislature wants to expand EFAs for private education. An increase in State funding to communities would allow them to provide critical services to their students that they can't currently afford; which BTW, private schools receiving EFA funding do NOT generally provide special needs services to students, expecting PUBLIC schools to provide such services. This bill would help towns do just that, without causing property taxes to increase.
Please support HB 550. It doesn't raise the State's base adequacy enough, but it certainly will help decrease the now unsupportable burden of local property taxes. Our new Governor said today in the Monitor, "Our state is in the top ten nationally for education funding...." That's so misleading when we consider the State funding that HB550 will raise. I hope you will advise our new Governor how to talk honestly about state funding of public education in NH.
Increase funding for education. This is good for the economy and the United States, including the US military.
the state of New Hampshire needs to contribute more aid to local communities so New Hampshire schools can hire and retain qualified educators and foster the supportive learning environments our students deserve. Each school district is spending more than double what the state contributes to a child’s education. The children of New Hampshire need better. This will be money well spent towards the future leaders and citizens of our state.
Funding our schools adequately is imperative to the future of our state. Teachers are leaving the profession at increasing rates every year as the cost of living goes up but the pay of our teachers stays the same. Having certified and educated teachers is what makes our education great. It also allows students who require additional support access to an equal and full education in a way that has less of an impact on the rest of their peers in the classroom. Employees in schools are burnt out and this bill is what will give kids a future.
I have worked in public education in NH for several years and know first hand the real need for increased funding. I often bought needed materials myself for the students. They are our future. I know our current Governor was able to afford a private school for her daughter. Please give all social economic levels equal tools for success.
Please vote OTP on this bill. For decades the State of NH has fallen far short of its obligation to adequately fund our public schools and instead has downshifted most of the cost to local property taxpayers. As I'm sure you all know, this means we have a pub lic school funding system where the academic opportunities available students vary widely throughout the state, simply because of varying property wealth. And it has led to taxpayers in different communities paying very different tax rates to support their schools. This system is fundamentally unfair and it's unconstitutional and must be fixed.. This bill is a good step in the right direction..
Providing an adequate public education is the responsibility of the Legislature, one that has been ignored for over 20 years. Do the right thing and support public education before handing out vouchers to private schools.
Equitable funding for our public schools is one of the most important tasks for legislators. Public education is the bedrock of democracy. It is shameful that the Legislature has ignored the Supreme Court's mandate to adequately fund public education since 1997. We must do this before we provide vouchers for private schools. The children are our future and it is our job to ensure a quality public education for all NH students, regardless of where they live in the state.
I believe education and investing in our future generation is crucial. Teacher play a large part in a kids life and kids benefit from a well funded school. It affects them in and outside of the classroom.
HB550 would increase the State's base adequacy payment for public education from $4,266 per student (currently) to $7,356. This bill would increase education funding from the State by about $454 million, allowing communities around the state to lower their property taxes or provide critical services to their students that they can’t currently afford.
NH state public schools need funding and I see it first hand in small town Merrimack public schools, If this bill doesn’t get passed there will be staff soratages, many budget cuts and so much more! Please pass this bill
New Hampshire's support for public schools is embarrassingly low, placing the burden on NH communities which often creates tension and disagreements on a local level. Please support our public education system this afternoon!!
We need an adequately educated population to keep our state strong.
I am in favor of ensuring all public school students receive an education which will prepare and give them skills to enter the workforce. We need to fund this adequately.
Quality education is critical for the future good health of New Hampshire. Our parents supported our education. We should be in full support of the education of our children.