HB1358
House · 2026 sessionRepublicanVeto — override pendingStudying charter school conversion
AI-generatedEstablishes a legislative commission, including school and education officials, to study the feasibility and impact of transitioning all New Hampshire public schools to operate as public charter schools, reporting by November 2026.
(New Title) establishing a commission to study transitioning all public schools to public charter schools.Official record
Division of testimonyComputed by this site
1,043 submissionsHatched = form letter ··
Status
Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · July 10, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- Governor
- Law
Argument analysis · complete record
AI-generatedall 338 hand-written submissions read in fullWritten testimony on HB1358 is overwhelmingly opposed, with a handful of brief supportive submissions. Opponents focus on loss of local control, reduced oversight and accountability of charter schools, the bill's lowering of the conversion threshold from a two-thirds vote to a simple majority, concerns about services for students with disabilities, and objections to the hearing being scheduled during school vacation week. Several submissions also raise unrelated complaints about committee members. The few supporters assert charter schools are better or that a change is needed given rising costs and declining quality.
- Charter conversion removes local, elected controlOppose92 of 338 · 27%
Opponents argue charter schools are governed by appointed private boards rather than locally elected school boards, so taxpayers would fund schools they have no say over.
“Public schools are locally controlled. Charter schools operate like private schools with a state charter and little to no local control, while receiving state funding. Charter schools offer less control at the local level. Charter school board members are appointed while public school board members are elected by their community.”
— Anne Grossi, Bedford · #640823 — read full submission →
“Charter schools are overseen by private boards of directors, not by elected school boards. So local property taxpayers still must pay for them while having no oversight over them. ”
— Jane Walsh, New London · #645678 — read full submission →
- Legislature should fund public schools insteadOppose71 of 338 · 21%
Opponents argue resources and legislative attention should go toward adequately funding and improving existing public schools rather than structural overhaul.
“The state legislature needs to make adequately funding the public schools the top priority. Please vote HB 1358 Inexpedient to Legislate.”
— John Petit, Litchfield · #642476 — read full submission →
“This diverts attention from pressing issues like school funding, teacher recruitment, and classroom resources that more directly impact student success. The state should spend time on figuring out how to fund schools, not dismantle them. ”
— Robert Ferri, Weare · #640650 — read full submission →
- Charter schools lack oversight; fraud and closure examplesOppose44 of 338 · 13%
Submissions cite the 2024 closure of an Exeter charter school amid an embezzlement and fraud investigation, and other NH charter failures, as evidence of insufficient accountability.
“Charter schools don't face the same oversight as public schools. Case in point, this story of a charter school in Exeter closing in 2024, less than two years after it opened. The former school officials faced an investigation for embezzlement and fraud. ”
— Jill Griffiths, Francestown · #641274 — read full submission →
“they have a record of failure and do not have enough oversight to prevent fraud, such as Coastal Waters in Exeter, or ability to manage fiscal needs, as Leaf Charter School in Alstead.”
— Dorothy Bauer, Antrim · #640850 — read full submission →
- Public education is foundational to democracyOppose42 of 338 · 12%
Many submissions frame free universal public education as a historic cornerstone of American democracy and civic life that should not be dismantled.
“Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were champions of PUBLIC education to provide a knowledgeable electorate and responsible citizens. Attempting to remove public education betrays our founders”
— Kennneth Cohen, Kensington · #644493 — read full submission →
“public education is almost 400 years old in New England, and is at the core of our democracy. Especially now, with digital distraction, and so many children spending so much time inside their private digital world, public education is critical”
— Douglas McVicar, Wonalancet · #641875 — read full submission →
- Lowering conversion threshold to a simple majorityOppose32 of 338 · 9%
Testimony objects that the bill would replace the current two-thirds school district meeting vote with a simple majority at a general election, and would bypass deliberative local meetings.
“Currently, converting a public school to a charter school requires a deliberate process involving school board approval and a two-thirds majority vote. HB 1358 seeks to dismantle these safeguards by allowing a simple majority vote to trigger a permanent change in governance”
— Paula Kent, Madisn · #642351 — read full submission →
“This bill would reduce the voting threshold for converting a public school to charter school from a 2/3 majority to a simple majority. Changing from a public school to a charter school severely limits local control as control transitions from the school board to the charter school committee.”
— David Watt, East Kingston · #645231 — read full submission →
- Increased segregation and inequity between studentsOppose31 of 338 · 9%
Opponents argue the change would sort students by income or need, leaving district schools with disproportionately high-need populations and widening achievement gaps.
“Over time, that can leave district schools with a disproportionate share of students with disabilities and other high needs, even though the law says charters must be open to all. Research on charter expansion already shows increases in segregation between schools”
— Danielle Harvey, Northwood · #645414 — read full submission →
“what we'll really end up with if Free Staters have their way is two systems of education, sorted by economic status. This is exactly what public schools were established to avoid.”
— Mary Wilke, CONCORD · #644403 — read full submission →
- Public schools bind communities and diverse students togetherOppose20 of 338 · 6%
Submissions emphasize that public schools serve as community centers and bring together students of differing backgrounds and beliefs.
“The very fact that public school students come from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds (let's be honest: we're talking about progressive, centrist, and conservative political positions, as well as green hair, MAGA hats, and different religious beliefs) means that we LEARN from each other.”
— Robin Mower, Durham · #640408 — read full submission →
“Our public schools are a foundation of community. Public charters serve a purpose, but it does not unify a community the way public schools do.”
— Liz Tentarelli, Manchester · #643956 — read full submission →
- No identified problem the bill would solveOppose20 of 338 · 6%
Opponents state the bill offers no evidence or explanation of what problem conversion would fix, calling it a solution in search of a problem.
“There is not a clear explanation as to what problem(s) converting public schools to charter schools would solve. There has been no data shown that would justify using up government resources to research all the legal and procedural requirements for this type of conversion.”
— Stephen Bilotta, Brookline · #644558 — read full submission →
“Once again some legislators have a solution in search of a problem. In the Live Free or Die State, local matters should be decided by local voters. ”
— Marie Morgan, Goffstown · #641556 — read full submission →
- Charters do not provide special education and support servicesOppose17 of 338 · 5%
Opponents state charter schools lack resources or obligations for special education, transportation, meals, nursing, and other wraparound services that public schools provide.
“Charter schools bear no responsibility for special education, student transportation, public health/school nurse services, or student meals.. They have no access to local property taxes and are often reliant on fundraising efforts to succeed beyond state aid.”
— Karin Cevasco, Milford · #639854 — read full submission →
“Many charter schools do not have the same level of resources, infrastructure, or funding to fully support students with special needs, comprehensive special education services, athletics programs, extracurricular activities, transportation systems, and other wraparound supports”
— Emeran Langmaid, Merrimack · #643366 — read full submission →
- Characterized as a Free State agenda to end public educationOppose17 of 338 · 5%
Opponents attribute the bill to Free State movement legislators seeking to dismantle public education and defund government services.
“Free Staters in NH seek to cause public education to collapse, want to defund state government and download expenses onto towns and deny funding for public services.”
— bonnie bruno, hollis · #639111 — read full submission →
“Rep. Osborne and other Free Staters want to abolish public education. I believe strong public schools are a foundation of a strong democracy.”
— Catharine Farkas, Sanbornton · #650763 — read full submission →
- The commission itself wastes time and moneyOppose16 of 338 · 5%
Submissions call the study commission an unnecessary expenditure of state resources on an outcome that should not be pursued.
“The commission would be a waste of state money that could be used for better things. ”
— Wayne Goldner, Bedford · #640745 — read full submission →
“this bill would establishing a commission to study converting all public schools to Charter Schools. This just seems like a waste of time and money.”
— Jane Haigh, Manchester · #650573 — read full submission →
- Eliminates teachers' union contractsOppose15 of 338 · 4%
Testimony objects that the legislation would replace collectively bargained teacher contracts along with elected school boards.
“This legislation aims to completely eliminate democratically elected municipal school boards and teachers' union contracts, replacing them with independent, privately-operated, and highly deregulated charter boards.”
— Louise Ewing, Antrim · #640640 — read full submission →
“Also, collective bargaining for faculty and staff would become difficult or impossible and these positions would receive lower wages, much less qualified employees and much higher turnover rates.”
— Jennifer Siegrist, Milford · #644639 — read full submission →
- Hearing scheduled during school vacation weekOppose15 of 338 · 4%
Numerous submissions object that scheduling the hearing during school vacation prevented parents and teachers from attending and testifying.
“Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this hearing was scheduled during school vacation week. This timing limits the ability of the parents and teachers affected by this bill to be present.”
— Alison Scott, MOULTONBOROUGH · #647939 — read full submission →
“I also strongly oppose scheduling the hearing of it during school vacation when many of the voters who are most interested in and affected by it- i.e. parents and teachers - are out of town or busy caring for their kids. It feels like a cheap trick”
— Elaine Warshell, Moultonborough · #642233 — read full submission →
- Charter test scores reflect self-selected studentsOppose14 of 338 · 4%
Opponents argue higher charter school scores are an artifact of self-selected enrollment, so the comparison to public schools that must enroll everyone is invalid.
“Proponents of this bill like to point to some charter schools as having higher test scores. But, they score higher because it is a self-selected group of students. Converting all public schools to charter schools would impact performance measurements when the full range of students is considered. ”
— Jill Griffiths, Francestown · #641274 — read full submission →
“Public schools, by their nature, have to enroll everyone, so comparing charter school scores with public schools is like comparing bananas with fruit salad.”
— Dorothy Bauer, Antrim · #640850 — read full submission →
- Charters can decline or push out studentsOppose14 of 338 · 4%
Testimony argues charter schools can select students and refuse those with behavioral or high needs, unlike public schools that must accept all children.
“These charter schools can also pick and choose students and refuse students with behavioral needs. ”
— Caro Nicholas, Manchester · #640521 — read full submission →
“Charters can decline to enroll students based on anything they'd like, unlike our public schools now where we educate everyone and do our very best for them.”
— Anna Edwardson, Sanbornton · #642395 — read full submission →
- Conversion is permanent with no path backOppose13 of 338 · 4%
Opponents note the bill contains no mechanism to revert a charter school to a public school if the arrangement fails, making the change effectively irreversible.
“The conversion would be a profound and irreversible change; there is no provision in the bill on how a charter school would convert back to a public school should the chartered entity fail to provide what the community needs.”
— Michelle Mailloux, East Kingston · #647045 — read full submission →
“Once a conversion is completed and our public schools and voter oversight are dismantled, it will be difficult to go back.”
— Keith Nelson, Moultonborough · #642683 — read full submission →
- Calls to remove committee chair over segregation commentsOppose12 of 338 · 4%
Multiple submissions raise the committee chair's reported comments about segregating schools and demand accountability or her removal, questioning the committee's legitimacy.
“Why has there been no repercussions for Kristin Noble wanting to segregate our schools?”
— Patricia Doyle, Windham · #637921 — read full submission →
“Kristin Noble is the same representative that proposed segregated schools in a private Signal chat discussing 2026 education policy (a clear violation of RSA91a).”
— Jennifer Siegrist, Milford · #644639 — read full submission →
- Charters can serve a niche but are not a universal modelOppose12 of 338 · 4%
Some opponents, including a charter school founder, say charter schools have a legitimate place but converting all public schools would not improve quality or accountability.
“As someone who started a public charter school in Westminster (a suburb of Denver), Colorado in 1996, that is still in successful operation. I strongly oppose this bill. Public charter schools have a place in the overall education landscape. But they are not a panacea”
— Kay May, Amherst · #640444 — read full submission →
“Charter school performance across the country is successful in some cases and much less so in others. They aren't necessarily a panacea. When they succeed it is because of the same factors that make some public schools succeed”
— Michelle Mailloux, East Kingston · #647045 — read full submission →
- Only half of charter teachers must be credentialedOppose11 of 338 · 3%
Submissions point to NH rules requiring only 50% of charter school teaching staff be certified or experienced, arguing this lowers instructional quality.
“Certification Requirements: At least 50% of the teaching staff must hold a New Hampshire teacher certificate or have a minimum of three years of classroom experience. Flexibility: Charter schools can hire individuals without traditional certification for the remaining positions.”
— Sandra E Cannon, Atkinson · #650356 — read full submission →
“Only 50% of the teachers in charter schools must be credentialed, and although the schools can’t be religious per se, some existing charters are using ‘classical’ (aka Christian-leaning, conservative) curricula. ”
— Nancy Miles, Hanover · #647726 — read full submission →
- Harm to property values, taxes, and workforce attractionOppose11 of 338 · 3%
Opponents argue undermining public schools would raise property taxes, lower home values, and make NH less attractive to young families and businesses.
“Another bill that will crash our property values and blow up our property taxes. I worked in high-tech in MA since those jobs aren’t available in NH.”
— Laurence Disenhof, Salem · #642756 — read full submission →
“A strong public school system is vital to attracting young families (I.e. workforce) in a state with a rapidly aging population and the desire to support businesses. ”
— Laurie Warnock, Hampstead · #644065 — read full submission →
- Conflicts with the state's constitutional duty and court rulingsOppose9 of 338 · 3%
Testimony asserts the bill would let the state abdicate its constitutional obligation to fund an adequate education and conflicts with Claremont-line rulings.
“This bill seems like a method to remove the constitutionally mandated role of the state to provide and support a public education in the state of New Hampshire.”
— Alyson Aiken Hobbs, Nashua · #645993 — read full submission →
“You give away vouchers to rich families and then violate the state supreme court mandating appropriate funding saying you can't afford it, after giving away vouchers with the same or higher per pupil cost.”
— Janet BRITCHER, PETERBOROUGH · #644018 — read full submission →
- Objections to the sponsor's motives and interestsOppose8 of 338 · 2%
Some submissions criticize the sponsor personally, citing that his children do not attend public school or alleging financial interest in charter schools.
“HB1358 is sponsored by Rep. Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) who is the House Majority Leader, a known adamant Free Stater and vocal critic of public schools, and one of the most conservative State Reps. His children do not attend public school. ”
— Claire Holston, Milford · #641864 — read full submission →
“so Rep. ‘I wear different hats to feel good about myself’ Osboune and his wife can continue to profit from phony charter schools by way of dismantling our public school system”
— Greg Judd, Dover · #647189 — read full submission →
- Data show public schools outperform chartersOppose7 of 338 · 2%
Some testimony cites NH Department of Education data and national rankings indicating traditional public schools perform as well or better than charter schools.
“The 2025 NH Department of Education data shows traditional public schools outperform charter schools statewide — by about 12 points in math and several points in reading. Even with roughly $9,000 in state aid per pupil, charters are not doing better.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarket · #640458 — read full submission →
“The much touted Lionsheart “classical academy” in Peterborough has lower test scores than the public school. ”
— Anne Peirce, Hancock · #641419 — read full submission →
- Lower compensation and higher staff turnoverOppose7 of 338 · 2%
Opponents say charter schools offer weaker compensation and benefits, producing high turnover, instability, and a loss of educators from the state.
“Charter schools compensation packages are far less than that found traditionally. These schools subject high turnover rates. There is no incentive to stay, leading to an overall instability within the school and impacting the quality of instruction received by the students.”
— Timothy McGuckin, Hollis · #637605 — read full submission →
“This will also cause an education drain as teachers and administrators will leave NH. Pay is already low for educators and Charter schools do not offer the same benefits. What happens to the NH pension system!”
— Susan Seidner, Pembroke · #641436 — read full submission →
- January 1, 2027 reporting deadline is too shortOppose7 of 338 · 2%
Opponents say the required report deadline gives insufficient time for a task of this complexity.
“If this bill passes, the commission established is required to report its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027. This is a very short window for a very complicated task.”
— Jill Griffiths, Francestown · #641274 — read full submission →
“the proposed January 1, 2027 deadline for their report does not providenearly enough time for appropriate research and fact-finding.”
— Robin Gregg, Hancock · #642822 — read full submission →
- Charters may advance religious or ideological curriculaOppose7 of 338 · 2%
Opponents raise concerns that charter schools use "classical" or Christian-leaning curricula and that taxpayer money should not fund religious instruction.
“Charter schools, like private schools, will push Christian conservative principles and teachings. If we lose our public schools, it will be very difficult to get them back.”
— Gale Bailey, Durham · #650607 — read full submission →
“On top of that, there are charter schools currently using Christian-leaning curricula., and only 50% of charter school teachers are required to be credentialed. ”
— Amy Agostino, Londonderry · #646409 — read full submission →
- NH public schools already perform well and need no overhaulOppose6 of 338 · 2%
A Republican school board member and others argue NH's public schools rank among the best nationally and that a charter transition would create unnecessary disruption.
“New Hampshire’s public schools consistently perform at high levels in academic achievement, graduation rates, and college readiness. They serve nearly 90% of our students and are deeply rooted in local communities.”
— Kirsten Burke, Center Tuftonboro · #647158 — read full submission →
“For all of its funding challenges, NH Public School are quite successful, ranking 4th Nationally (behind NJ, Mass, and Connecticut).”
— Michelle Mailloux, East Kingston · #647045 — read full submission →
- Enables a small plurality to take schools for ideological endsOppose5 of 338 · 1%
Testimony warns that a low-turnout simple-majority vote could let a narrow group convert schools for ideological rather than educational reasons.
“This bill is attempt to allow for a small plurality of voters in a district to take control of a school, potentially for idealogical rather than educational reasons.”
— David Watt, East Kingston · #645231 — read full submission →
“School boards can have biased members whose agenda is to promote private education using tax dollars to do so. ”
— Susan Winters, Tamworth · #649107 — read full submission →
- Removes the choice to send children to public schoolOppose5 of 338 · 1%
Opponents note the irony that a school-choice framing eliminates the option of a traditional public school for families who want it.
“The voucher supporters wanted a CHOICE to send their children to private schools (paid by State of NH). So where is the choice for parents who want their children to attend public schools (funded State of NH).”
— Karolyn Campbell, Epsom · #644543 — read full submission →
“This bill takes away the choice of parents to send their children to public school.”
— Gayle Hoisington, Merrimack · #644882 — read full submission →
- Narrower curriculum and fewer course offeringsOppose4 of 338 · 1%
Opponents predict charter conversion would produce "education deserts" where towns teach only selected subjects and drop electives and extracurriculars.
“we'll have deserts in our schools because subject matter won't be required in each school that we should be offering to every student. We'll be creating close minded communities if we transition to Charter Schools since towns will want to only teach the subjects they think are important”
— Renee Masson, Raymond · #639358 — read full submission →
“Charter schools are created in ways that limit their ability to provide a wide range of instruction, with not all teachers as highly trained as those in traditional public schools.”
— Laura Vincent, Loudon, NH 03307 · #647235 — read full submission →
- The study's framing presupposes its conclusionOppose3 of 338 · <1%
Testimony argues the bill's language about "potential benefits" and flexibility presumes conversion is desirable, so the study would not be impartial.
“Phrases like "potential benefits" and "increase local district flexibility, innovation, and autonomy" are too specific and pointed. We need to ensure we also study the potential issues.”
— Chesley Marvin, Nashua · #636935 — read full submission →
“I would not mind a legitimate study of use of charter schools to explore their possible benefit to students and taxpayers of the state, but this committee will be dominated by those who are seeking to dismantle public schools.”
— James Moyer, Epsom · #646622 — read full submission →
- School boards lack capacity to run curriculum and administrationOppose2 of 338 · <1%
A former educator argues volunteer school boards lack the training and time to develop and evaluate curricula, and that administration should rest with qualified professionals.
- Croydon shows how easily a community can lose its schoolsOppose2 of 338 · <1%
Testimony cites the Croydon budget episode as evidence that a low-threshold process can be manipulated to strip a community of its public schools.
- Harm to student mental health and marginalized familiesOppose2 of 338 · <1%
A mental health clinician argues that weakening protections creates anxiety and falls hardest on students with disabilities, immigrant families, and youth already at risk.
- Any study should begin with pilot schools, not statewide changeOppose1 of 338 · <1%
One submission suggests that if charter effectiveness is to be studied, it should be done through regional pilot schools rather than a wholesale conversion proposal.
- Charters succeed because they rely on district public schoolsOppose1 of 338 · <1%
One submission argues charter schools' success depends on their relationships with district public schools that carry the shared burdens.
- No guarantee of property tax relief from conversionOppose1 of 338 · <1%
One submission notes that while the bill gestures at reducing reliance on local property taxes, there is no assurance conversion would achieve that.
- Bill sponsors should disclose taxpayer costs firstOppose1 of 338 · <1%
One submission proposes that sponsors be required to supply cost estimates and that changes of this scope go to a voter referendum.
- Each school needs its own principalOppose1 of 338 · <1%
A retired paraeducator argues based on district experience that every school requires its own principal.
- Charter schools are better than public schoolsSupport1 of 338 · <1%
Supporters assert that public charter schools outperform traditional public schools.
- Declining quality and rising cost justify dramatic changeSupport1 of 338 · <1%
A supporter argues public schools deliver worsening education at increasing cost, requiring a dramatic structural change to secure affordable quality education.
- Maintaining high standards and infrastructureSupport1 of 338 · <1%
A supporter frames the bill in terms of keeping high education standards and providing supporting infrastructure.
Percentages are of the 338 individually-written submissions, every one of which was read in full — not a sample. A submission making several arguments is counted under each. 65 registered a position without giving a reason, so they count toward the total but under no argument.
A further 12 submissions came from 1 form-letter campaign, and are excluded from the counts above so a mass campaign cannot outweigh people who wrote their own testimony.
Form-letter detection only groups a template once at least ten people send it, so smaller sets of submissions sharing near-identical wording are counted here as individual testimony. On bills where a handful of writers worked from the same talking points, a count may therefore run slightly ahead of the number of independently-written arguments.
Generated by anthropic/claude-opus-5 on Aug 10, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Argument groupings are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
Form-letter campaigns
12 of 350 written submissions (3%)12 submissions match a shared template; 338 are individually written.
- Oppose Charter Conversion ChangesAI-generatedOppose12 submissions on this bill
The template argues that the proposed bill weakens existing safeguards by allowing a simple majority vote to change public school governance, bypassing local community input.
The letter · submitted 12 times I am writing to strongly oppose HB 1358. Public schools are the backbone of our community. Currently, converting a public school to a charter school requires a deliberate process involving school board approval and a two-thirds majority vote. HB 1358 seeks to dismantle these safeguards by allowing a simple majority vote to trigger a permanent change in governance, bypassing the local meetings where neighbors discuss long-term impacts on children and taxes. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this hearing was scheduled during school vacation week. This timing limits the ability of the parents and teachers affected by this bill to be present. I urge the committee to vote Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 1358.
Detected by text-similarity clustering — that part is arithmetic. The name describing each template is written by a model.
The record · every submission as filed
1,043 submissions| Expand | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michelle Clancy for Myself Dover Let’s be honest: this is another attempt to NOT fund public schools. Shameful! | Dover | Oppose | 78 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Catharine Farkas for Myself Sanbornton This is a ridiculous bill, further attempting to destroy public education. There is already a mechanism for setting up charter schools under our public education system if a district wishes to do so. Rep. Osborne and other Free Staters want to abolish public education. I believe strong public schools are a foundation of a strong democracy. | Sanbornton | Oppose | 342 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Gale Bailey for Myself Durham Charter schools, like private schools, will push Christian conservative principles and teachings. If we lose our public schools, it will be very difficult to get them back. This is a terrible idea. | Durham | Oppose | 198 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Jane Haigh for Myself Manchester The way I understand it, this bill would establishing a commission to study converting all public schools to Charter Schools. This just seems like a waste of time and money. We should not even think about converting all of our schools to charter schools. We should finally commit to funding our local neighborhood public schools. | Manchester | Oppose | 330 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Catherine Teran for Myself Sandwich This is wrong. Not so subtle attempt to ruin public schools. VOTE NO!!! | Sandwich | Oppose | — | 75 | Feb 24, 2026 | |
Edward Morgan for Myself Tamworth New Hampshire needs to smarten up and support quality public schools, not undermine them consistently. | Tamworth | Oppose | 102 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Sandra E Cannon for Myself Atkinson There is no need to transition to a charter school if the state pays it's fair share. I believe this is a way to decrease the number of certified teachers and their benefits. Why do we need ceritfied teachers and not computers: I had a freshman student in my honors geometry class who came from a charter school. She had an A in algebra 1 and an A in geometry at her charter school so the father assumed she'd be ready for honors geometry at the local public HS. Needless to say the father was very surprised when I met with him concerning his daughters readiness for Honors geometry. After checking her skills, the daughter was place in a regular level Algebra 1. He had heard good things about the charter school and wasn't concerned because she was getting A's. No accountability of those in charter schools. Do they even do state testing? ALSO: Certification Requirements: At least 50% of the teaching staff must hold a New Hampshire teacher certificate or have a minimum of three years of classroom experience. Flexibility: Charter schools can hire individuals without traditional certification for the remaining positions. Governing Rules: These requirements fall under New Hampshire’s charter school regulations, which allow for more flexibility in staffing compared to traditional public schools. | Atkinson | Oppose | 1,320 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Mary Ewell for Myself Chesterfield I am a product of public school systems and completed a PhD in physics never feeling my education lacking. These institutions are the bedrock of our country and we should be investing in and supporting them. I am not totally opposed to Charter Schools but I have seen the dark side too years ago in DC. The legislature needs to be focused on funding and improving our public schools system, first and foremost, to ensure all our granite state children are being given opportunity. | Chesterfield | Oppose | 480 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Sharon Racusin for Myself Hanover Charter schools are private. I OPPOSE this nail in the coffin. | Hanover | Oppose | 62 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Leslie Haltbakk for Myself Merrimack This bill is stupid. t is critical that the people filling these positions are experts in public education and not part of the political system. Superintendents absolutely should not be elected and thus beholden to the games of politics and concerns of reelection, but rather carefully selected by the school board to best suit the needs of their district. Equally important is the fact that a single superintendent per county will result in a lack of support, dedicated superintendent time, and resources for EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT. One person cannot possibly have a real presence in every district within a county, much less truly get to know the districts, their individual needs, and be available at any moment for their students and staff. It is an impossibility. . Constrained by time. the role would became reactive instead of proactive, and a disservice to students and families, teachers, and the communities they serve. This bill is another attempt to dismantle our public schools, brick by brick. | Merrimack | Oppose | 1,011 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
S Joy Guerriero for Myself Chesterfield I Oppose HB 1358 | Chesterfield | Oppose | — | 16 | Feb 24, 2026 | |
Jane Woodward for Myself EXETER This is crazy. The function of our public schools is to provide equal education to raise up productive thoughtful citizens. That take professionals, not wannabe policymakers who can't even read the US Constitution, apparently. | EXETER | Oppose | 226 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Chris Boldt for Myself Sandwich Please ITL HB 1358. It is an ill-conceived effort to further dismantle our public schools. If you truly want to save money, repeal the "no limits" payments to fund private and parochial schools with tax payer dollars. Thank you. | Sandwich | Oppose | 232 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Mary Meyers for Myself Hancock This is another attempt to weaken public schools and local control. Charter schools are less accountable than public schools and have less local control. | Hancock | Oppose | 158 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Michele Chalice for Myself Keene Charter schools are draining our public schools where everyone is able to learn. | Keene | Oppose | 81 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
JESSAMYN FIORE for Myself Chesterfield I completely oppose transitioning public schools to charter schools - even the suggestion of it is corrosive. Our public school system is what built this nation offering a good free education as a stepping stone into a career regardless of economic background. It's slow erosion over the past couple of decades through disastrous politics that have continually cut funding and support has contributed to our country's overall decline- not just academically but economically. We need to reinvest in public schools, support teachers and administers to offer the best local and free education to the children of New Hampshire so that the next generation can thrive. Eroding and then dismantling the public school system (to be replaced with charter schools) will particularly impact children in very rural and less affluent areas, it could set these citizens behind for generations to come. Protect our public schools! | Chesterfield | Oppose | 915 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Leo Sandy for Myself Chesterfield I oppose all fascist attempts to destroy public education and the commons | Chesterfield | Oppose | 73 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Bruce Borofsky for Myself Silver Lake Charter schools will not improve education. Stop mucking about and support the school structure as it is. | Silver Lake | Oppose | 106 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Lyssa Bayne-Kim for Myself Durham As a parent of three school aged sons, I support NH public schools and do not want to see changes that will move education in NH towards a charter school system. | Durham | Oppose | — | 161 | Feb 24, 2026 | |
Frances Immergut for Myself Chesterfield This is an attempt to destroy public education I am opposed to this on every level Don’t let these folks tear down our country. | Chesterfield | Oppose | — | 129 | Feb 24, 2026 | |
Anne Knight for Myself Exeter I am strongly opposed to this bill. It does not support the concept of public education for all children in our communities. | Exeter | Oppose | — | 125 | Feb 24, 2026 | |
Bill Kingston for Myself New Castle This is another attempt to destroy public education in New Hampshire | New Castle | Oppose | — | 68 | Feb 24, 2026 | |
Denny Immergut for Myself Chesterfield Another attempt to to destroy public education | Chesterfield | Oppose | — | 47 | Feb 24, 2026 | |
John Atherton for Myself Dover Killing public schools to replace them with charter schools will destroy education in New Hampshire. It will replace publicly accountable schools for scattered private schools subject to no oversight and thus open to misuse. HB 1358 is dangerous and must be stopped. | Dover | Oppose | 269 | Feb 24, 2026 | ||
Carolyn Reschke for Myself Moultonborough I am writing to strongly oppose HB1358. Public schools are the backbone of our community. Currently, converting a public school to a charter school requires a deliberate process involving school board approval and a 2/3 majority vote. HB1358 seeks to dismantle these safeguards by allowing a simple majority vote to trigger a permanent change in governance, by bypassing the local meetings where neighbours discuss long-term impacts on their children and their taxes. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this hearing was scheduled during school vacation week. This timing limits the ability of Parents and teachers affected by this Bill to be present. I urge the committee to vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1358. | Moultonborough | Oppose | 721 | Feb 24, 2026 |