NH must solve its school funding crisis

As a concerned New Hampshire resident, I’m deeply troubled by the inequitable distribution of education funding. The current system, which relies overwhelmingly on local property taxes, perpetuates disparities between affluent and poorer towns, denying children the quality education they deserve and burdening taxpayers with exorbitant property taxes.

Our state’s education funding system is unique, with about 70% of funding coming from local property taxes. This has led to stark disparities in tax rates and educational quality between property-rich and property-poor towns. Despite judicial mandates spanning over 30 years, the state consistently fails its constitutional obligation to provide all children with an adequate education funded by uniform taxes throughout the state. Dire consequences result. Schools lack essential resources, and residents are taxed out of their homes.

As a longtime Newport resident, I’ve seen firsthand how funding disparities affect our community’s ability to attract new residents. Despite familial ties spanning nine generations, my husband and I have considered leaving due to constrained learning prospects for our children. Growing up here, I faced limited educational opportunities compared to neighboring towns. The situation has worsened in recent years — teachers overwhelmed, teaching outside their expertise, and scarcely enough courses available for graduation. It’s a concerning reality for our community’s future.

Decisive action is imperative. We must demand increased state funding for property-poor districts and a fairer distribution system that ensures every child has access to necessary resources. Recent court rulings support the state’s duty to act urgently to increase base adequacy and stop tax distribution practices that unfairly favor affluent towns. The current flawed system pits taxpayers against students and schools, perpetuating a cycle of conflict that must end. Communities like Newport cannot wait any longer for relief. Legislators must unite to fulfill our constitutional duty to adequately fund public education while safeguarding community members from excessive taxation.

I urge our legislators to engage with local stakeholders, understand school and community realities, define adequacy accurately and transparently, and work toward a property tax system serving everyone. Let’s ensure every child and family in New Hampshire has the opportunity to thrive.

Kathryn Boutin

Newport, N.H.

The only solution is to vote

Well, we can’t say we didn’t see it coming.

The Supreme Court unanimously restored Donald Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to ban him over the Capitol riot.

Every American who wants to make sure this man does not return to the White House must make sure they are registered, and get out there and vote on Tuesday, November 5th. We must not hold out hope that the courts will do our work for us.

To quote Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing,”

Barry Wenig

Lebanon

What’s become of the GOP?

As a registered Republican, I find it hard to see the $83 million man controlling the party like he does. Was it 16 years since we had John McCain as our nominee? In that time, we’ve allowed a traitor to be our standard bearer. A traitor who doesn’t pay his bills. A traitor who is Putin’s puppet. Who has absolutely NO class. A traitor who has turned the GOP into political snowflakes. The same traitor who had a Twitter rage for weeks against our 2008 nominee after that man had died. Political snowflakes!

Daniel Moore

Grafton