A group of House Democrats is asking the New Hampshire Supreme Court to consider a new model to fund schools in the state.
In a brief filed to the court last Monday, the lawmakers asked the court to implement a “needs-based” approach for school funding.
The state of New Hampshire is facing two lawsuits—Contoocook Valley School District et al. v. State of New Hampshire and Steven Rand et al. v. State of New Hampshire.
One challenges that the state does not grant districts adequate funds per student to keep schools operational, forcing them to burden local property taxpayers to make up the difference. The other argues that the current funding model creates unfair disparities among municipalities.
Last November, Rockingham Superior Court judge, David Ruoff, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in both cases, and held that the $4,100 per pupil base funding amount should be increased to $7,356.01.
As per Ruoff’s ruling in the second lawsuit, statewide education property tax (SWEPT) that districts raise by taxing local property is unconstitutional. Under an earlier version of SWEPT, excess revenue in any municipality would go to the state’s education trust fund that would then redistribute it to towns in need. However, the state’s 2011 decision allowed wealthier districts to retain that amount, widening the chasm between rich and poor towns.
The move comes after a group of House Republicans filed their own brief in the New Hampshire Supreme Court arguing the state has no obligation to fund an adequate education in the state, an argument resulting from the landmark Claremont school funding decisions, which Republicans want to overturn and Democrats want to keep, while asking the Supreme Court to clarify their meanings.
According to the decisions from the 1990s, the state has a constitutional obligation to ensure an “adequate” education for all students.
A 2020 independent legislative commission, tasked with finding the best way forward for school funding called New Hampshire’s current model “inequitable,” and found that students’ performances correlated with the wealth of their school districts.
The state has appealed Ruoff’s rulings. Oral arguments have not been scheduled yet.
Meet the finalists for 2025 NH teacher of the year
Four teachers have been named finalists for the 2025 New Hampshire teacher of the year award. The teachers were nominated by peers, by parents, and...
Felt like a ‘witch hunt’: NH teacher on what it was like to work under the divisive concepts law
To Sean O’Mara, a middle school teacher from Keene, the last two years felt like a “witch hunt” against him and the community of educators in the...
Op-ed: New Hampshire Education Under Fire
Just a few weeks ago, the New Hampshire Senate voted to pass a bill enabling widespread book bans throughout the state. The House has continued...
‘Breaks my heart’: NH mom looks forward to summer food assistance program for her son
Danielle Plouffe has lost 40 to 45 pounds since November due to stress and lack of eating. She and her 5-year-old son Owen Sefton have been living...
VIDEO: NH Senate Expands School Voucher Program
Republicans on the New Hampshire State Senate voted to dramatically expand the state's school voucher program that gives taxpayer money to private...
NH federal court strikes down classroom censorship teaching law
By Ethan Dewitt/ NH Bulletin Patrick Keefe says he just wanted to teach Toni Morrison’s “Beloved.” The high school English teacher has long included...