AFT-NH President Deb Howes released the following statement on Governor Ayotte Signing HB 1300:
Governor Ayotte's decision to sign HB 1300 puts New Hampshire public school students at risk and makes it harder for local communities to provide the schools our children deserve. While promoted as a local vote on property tax cap measures, the laws effect is to limit schools' ability to keep pace with fast rising costs for special education, student support services, transportation, technology, and educator recruitment and retention. When costs rise faster than the cap allows, districts may face larger class sizes, fewer teachers and paraeducators, reduced student supports, and fewer educational opportunities for children.
HB 1300 also asks voters to make a major decision about school funding through a ballot question that is confusing, contradictory, and difficult to understand. The measure combines multiple policies into a single vote, creates uncertainty for communities served by more than one school district, and leaves voters guessing about the consequences of their vote. New Hampshire voters deserve clear, honest ballot questions, not one that is ambiguous and internally inconsistent.
"HB 1300 is a devastating blow to New Hampshire's public school students," said Deb Howes, President of AFT-New Hampshire. "This law asks voters to make decisions about school funding through a confusing and contradictory ballot question that even policy experts struggle to interpret. It disguises a major change in how schools are funded as a simple tax question, while limiting the ability of local communities to respond to students' needs. When school districts cannot keep pace with rising costs, it is students who pay the price through fewer opportunities, fewer supports, and fewer investments in their future."
AFT-New Hampshire believes decisions about public education should be made through the transparent school district budget processes that allow voters to review facts, ask questions, and understand the consequences of their choices. We remain committed to protecting educational opportunities for every student and ensuring that New Hampshire public schools have the resources they need to help all children thrive.