AFT-NH Testimony opposing HB1300
From Debrah Howes, President AFT-NH
Apr. 28, 2026
To Chairman Gray and members of the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee
My name is Debrah Howes, President of the American Federation of Teachers–NH. I write on behalf of our 3,500 members who work in preK through grade 12 public education, in private and public universities, and in city and town services across the Granite State. We are taxpayers and citizens of New Hampshire, and many of us are parents or grandparents of public-school students.
On behalf of my members and the communities we serve, I respectfully urge you to oppose HB 1300. This bill harms public school students, interferes with local community control, and makes it harder for schools to meet their constitutional obligation to Granite State children.
HB 1300 does nothing to fix New Hampshire’s broken school funding system. Instead, it entrenches a system where the state pushes most public education costs onto cities and towns and then ties their hands when they try to cover rising expenses that directly affect students.
Public schools exist to serve all students, including those with the greatest support needs. HB 1300 makes that responsibility harder and, in many cases, impossible to fulfill.
First, HB 1300 harms students by requiring repeated votes on arbitrary school budget caps, even if no one in the community wants the vote. If approved, these caps would force cuts that directly affect student learning. School budgets pay for teachers, paraeducators, counselors, nurses, librarians, transportation, and special education services. These are not extras. These are the people and supports students rely on every day to learn and thrive.
The bill ignores the reality of unavoidable costs. Health insurance, utilities, transportation, and special education expenses rise regardless of what a ballot question says. When revenue is capped and costs continue to increase, districts are left with one option: cutting staff and programs. Students pay the price through larger class sizes, fewer supports, and fewer opportunities.
Students with disabilities are especially at risk. Schools are legally required to provide special education services, regardless of cost. HB 1300 does not change that obligation. Instead, it forces districts to cut general education programs, electives, athletics, and nonmandated student supports to comply with state and federal mandates. This harms all students and undermines inclusive public schools where every student is part of the learning community.
Second, HB 1300 deepens inequality across our state. New Hampshire already relies more heavily on local property taxes to fund schools than any other state in the country. Wealthier communities have more flexibility to absorb budget caps or raise funds in other ways. Less wealthy communities do not.
HB 1300 locks unequal educational opportunities into place by preventing underfunded districts from responding to student needs or rising costs. Over time, the gap between communities grows wider. The educational opportunities available to all students in a school should not depend on the value of property in their town, but this bill moves us closer to that outcome.
Third, HB 1300 harms educators and destabilizes public schools. Teachers and paraeducators are the backbone of public education. They work directly with students every day, help them learn, provide stability and care. They are also the largest part of school budgets because education is human work.
When budgets are capped, districts struggle to maintain fair wages and benefits. Paraeducator positions are often cut first. Teachers face wage freezes and increased workloads. Staffing shortages worsen, and students lose trusted adults. This bill makes it harder to retain experienced educators and recruit new ones when schools are already under strain.
Fourth, HB 1300 interferes with local control. New Hampshire values local school governance and public participation. School budgets are built through transparent processes that include school boards, educators, parents, and voters. Parents and community members can ask questions and raise concerns at multiple public meetings during this process
HB 1300 replaces that process with a blunt, one size fits all ballot question that strips away discussion, flexibility, and informed decision making. This is not local control. It is state interference.
Finally, HB 1300 allows the state to avoid its responsibility. New Hampshire has a constitutional obligation to fund an adequate education. This bill does not address that obligation. It simply limits what local communities can do to fill the gaps left by the state. Capping local budgets without fixing state funding is not fiscal responsibility. It is cost shifting, and students bear the consequences.
For all these reasons, I strongly urge you to find HB 1300 inexpedient to legislate.
Sincerely,
Debrah Howes
President, AFT-New Hampshire