State reps give initial approval to $130M increase in education funding

STATEMENTS, WHICH IT CONTENDS ARE NOT ACCURATE. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS TAKING BIPARTISAN ACTION ON EDUCATION FUNDING LAST WEEK, STATE REPS GAVE INITIAL APPROVAL TO LEGISLATION THAT WOULD INCREASE STATE AID TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY $130 MILLION A YEAR. OF COURSE, THE PER PUPIL COST OF AN ADEQUATE EDUCATION IS AN ALMOST ETERNAL DEBATE IN CONCORD, AND THE SUBJECT IS ONE OF GREAT CONTENTION PRESENTLY BETWEEN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH. BUT FOR MANY REPS THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER THEIR FUNDING NEEDS TO INCREASE, IT’S BY HOW MUCH LAWMAKERS SAY THE STATE DOES NEED TO SEND MORE AID TO DISTRICTS WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF POVERTY, IN PART BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE RURAL DISTRICTS ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO HIRE NEW TEACHERS AT A COMPETITIVE WAGE. IT VARIES TREMENDOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE. YOU HAVE SOME COMMUNITIES WHERE THE MINIMUM SALARY IS OVER $60,000. YOU HAVE OTHERS THAT HAVE 51 TO $58,000, BUT THEN YOU HAVE A FEW, NOT A FEW, QUITE A FEW. AND I’M IN ONE OF THOSE TOWNS. AND THE PEOPLE IN THE NORTH COUNTRY GENERALLY ARE WHERE THAT SALARY IS $31,000. NOW, IF YOU’RE A YOUNG PERSON COMING OUT OF UNH KEENE OR PLYMOUTH WITH A DEGREE IN TEACHING, AND IT’S HARD TO FIND THEM NOW SEEING THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT WANTING TO GO INTO THE PROFESSION OF TEACHING BECAUSE THERE’S NO INCOME THERE TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR DAILY LIFE, THESE BILLS TO BOOST FUNDING ARE NOW HEADED BACK TO COMMITTEE FOR MORE WORK ON THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF THINGS. FOR NOW, IT’S UNCLEAR HOW THE STATE SENATE WILL RECEIVE WHATEVER MIGHT EMERGE FROM THE HOUSE. SENATE PRESIDENT JEB BRADLEY SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. A TOP PRIORITY THIS SESSION IS HOLDING THE LINE AGAINST WHAT HE

State reps give initial approval to $130M increase in education funding | CloseUp

Updated: 12:42 PM EST Feb 25, 2024

On Closeup, lawmakers said New Hampshire needs to send more aid to districts with higher levels of poverty.

On Closeup, lawmakers said New Hampshire needs to send more aid to districts with higher levels of poverty.