school funding | New Hampshire Public Radio

Going Local: The Great North Woods

By The Exchange • Aug 31, 2018

For the first part of our series, Going Local, we look at the Great North Woods.

The very top of our state, with its small towns and expansive outdoor recreation options, is a region driven by local government, where school funding, access to well-paying jobs, and retention of a sustainable workforce are all big issues.

This show originally aired on July 12, 2018.

Franklin City Council Breaks Tax Cap With School Funding In Mind

By Daniela Allee • Jun 29, 2018

Franklin's nearly 30-year old tax cap won't be in place next year. The city council overrode the mayor’s veto to break the tax cap with a 6 to 3 vote Thursday night.

After years of budget shortfalls and layoffs, Franklin’s school district has some breathing room, at least for one year. That's how long this proposed tax cap break would last.

The school district would get $708,623, and could rehire most of the 14 staff members laid off this year.

Dueling Studies Examine Controversial Voucher Bill

By Jason Moon • Dec 6, 2017

A new analysis of a controversial school voucher bill says it could cost the state millions of dollars over the next several years.

The bill in question would allow parents to take the state money that normally follows a child to public school, and spend it on other forms of education -- including private schools or home schooling.

N.H. Attorney General Refuses to Defend Cap on State Aid to Schools

By Jason Moon • Oct 27, 2015

The Attorney General’s office has refused to defend the law that caps state aid to schools in a case brought by the city of Dover. It’s the latest in a long string of battles over education funding in the state.

As Budget Debate Boils, Schools Everywhere Lean On Local Taxpayers

By Sam Evans-Brown • Jun 15, 2015

With lawmakers now in the final phase of crafting the state budget for the next two years, schools around the state are watching the process uneasily. The Legislature is looking, once again, to tweak the formula it uses to send money to local districts.

Legislation To Benefit Growing School Districts Gets Preliminary House Approval

By NHPR Staff • Feb 18, 2015

School districts with growing populations could benefit from two pieces of legislation that got preliminary approval today from the New Hampshire House.

The House voted this morning to move forward a bill that would lift a cap on how much state aid growing school districts can receive, as well as a measure to provide more money for school construction projects. The House Education Committee recommended passage of both.

North Country SAUs Looking For Ways To Share And Save

By Chris Jensen • Feb 24, 2012

Facing tighter budgets North Country school districts are participating in a task force exploring ways they can cooperate and save money.

There are two broad goals, said Wayne Gersen, the former superintendent of the Hanover school district, who is heading up the group.

One is to give students more educational opportunities, perhaps by having SAUs share teachers in areas such as music, art or even special-education testing.

Senate Adopts School Funding Amendment

By Josh Rogers • Feb 15, 2012

The New Hampshire Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to give the state more leeway in how it distributes school aid.

The amendment would make it easier for lawmakers to target money to poorer communities but not explicitly undue the Claremont rulings that require the state to fund an adequate education for every child. After the vote Governor Lynch described the proposal as “a significant milestone.”