Published: 5/19/2021 8:00:19 AM
We are finally finding our way out of the dark tunnel of this last year, but I fear that one of the casualties of the pandemic could be NH’s public schools. SB 130, a school voucher bill being considered in the legislature, will further deplete our already underfunded public schools, schools which have been hit hard from a decline in enrollment resulting from COVID-19. This bill directs our tax revenue toward tuition vouchers for private and religious schools and homeschooling, leaving our public school revenues heavily depleted.
Many families left public schools to be part of learning pods or private schools with fewer COVID restrictions. Parents need to be assured that returning to their public schools is a good choice for their children. Public schools must have the enthusiastic support of our legislators. Without that support, families will not feel comfortable returning to the their public schools, thus per-pupil revenues will continue to decline. The children who remain in the public school system will be left at the end of this downward spiral, trapped in worsening schools and with no financial means to opt out. This situation will further escalate the lack of equity among New Hampshire’s schoolchildren across the state. All students should have access to excellent educational opportunities through fully funded public education, so that our state will grow and thrive. Public education is where our tax money should go. New Hampshire simply cannot afford SB 130.