New Hampshire
- New Hampshire
funding priorities for p-12 and higher education
New Hampshire pursued a robust amount of significant initiatives concerning tax liability, per-pupil expenditures, and the funding formula calculation. Recent legislative text ranged from Kindergarten funding1 to school building aid2. Centered on a cost-based equalization funding formula and primarily satisfied through tax assessment, a major drive considered "changes to the adequate education funding formula by increasing the statutory amount for base aid per pupil from $3,561.27 to $9,929.00…"3 Another bill addressed, "free tuition at colleges and universities for children of veterans who are totally and permanently disabled; programs to aid veterans, access to employment, housing, health care, and college degrees; educational assistance for members of the New Hampshire national guard; tuition waivers for children in state foster care or guardianship; and [the prohibition of] higher education (HE) institutions from discriminating on the basis of military, law enforcement, or veterans status."4 New Hampshire Governor Christopher T. Sununu chose to prioritize special education, charter schools, HE, and student debt in the budget proposal.5
changes to the funding formula for p-12 education
Consistent with the devotion of half a million dollars to study school funding,6 the state of New Hampshire decided to make amendments to the current dollar allocation formula for funding an adequate education. A bill articulated specifically which categories to be reduced or eliminated and new methodology that specified need through free and reduced lunch, including establishing additional free and reduced lunch differentiated aid; establishing a fiscal capacity disparity aid per pupil grant based on a municipality's equalized valuation per pupil; and eliminating stabilization grants.7 Fiscal changes to the education grant calculation was explicitly articulated in the bill in dollar amounts.8 To date, the bill has been adjourned for an indefinite amount of time. [End Page 319]
pressing state issues affecting p-12 and higher education funding
On the horizon, legislation has signaled that property tax liability relief is a focus for stakeholders. In addition to relief for totally and permanently disabled veterans, introduced bills considered commercial and residential property, property owners on private roads, renewable energy systems, accessory dwelling units, volunteer firefighters/ emergency medical personnel, and water/air pollution control facilities.9 If passed, these reductions in liability will impact local and state revenue streams. Although state funding of the university system remains stagnant, the state has prioritized the student loan debt crisis, stating that, "New Hampshire is taking the national lead and providing $32.5 million in student debt… without using taxpayer dollars."10 The fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to further exacerbate decreased revenue streams for education. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided almost $34 million to New Hampshire schools, per the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.11 These dollars were directed at school districts and public charter schools. Allocations per local education agency were publicly reported via the Bureau of Integrated Programs.
exclusive to p-12
The Governor allocated $7 million of the CARES Act funding to the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) initiative. The Commissioner stated that, "With these funds in place, more New Hampshire schools and families will be able to use VLACS to access remote instruction to their students. This is a great example of New Hampshire working together to serve students."12 Additionally, connected to the United States Department of Education's federal Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program, a senate bill was introduced for "the purpose of increasing, expanding, or replicating the number of charter schools in the state."13 A press release issued in July highlighted charter school funding after a replication grant was not approved on the basis that greater support should be established for existing public schools. Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut stated that he remains, "disappointed that partisanship has left New Hampshire charter schools and their students in limbo…"14 [End Page 320]
state per-pupil expenditures
$18,903.2115
allocation of state dollars
$1,438,843,41916
percent of the state budget for p-12 and higher education
21.9 percent (6,575,733...
