HB121

With the federal government slashing funding for children and schooling, this is not the time for states to be adding to the downward spiral. Budget caps are just another step towards trying to defund public school systems which will ruin our great state.

As an educator with more than two decades of experience working in public schools--experience that began in Claremont's Stevens High School--I strongly oppose this bill. I also bring the perspective of a public school district board member, as well as that of a parent of public school children. This is a misguided effort to address a problem that stems from the state's continuing refusal to address its broken funding formula.

While House leaders continue to drag their feet on legislative efforts to help the Claremont School District resolve their financial crisis, Rep. Glenn Cordelli is proposing a rushed amendment to HB 121 that would give the NH State Board of Education the ability to appoint an administrator to rule over a school district under certain circumstances, some of which are extremely vague. Fiscal accountability is important so that districts do not get into a situation that puts students and educators at risk, but this effort is misguided.

Representative Cordelli merely seeks another means to dismantle public education. Support struggling districts in these challenging times! Vote no to his non-germane amendments!

This bill is vague and potentially harmful to students and it should not be passed.

I oppose this bill.

This bill would eliminate local control and hobble school districts' ability to account for increased costs that they cannot control. It was wrong last year and it's wrong now.