In the most recent attempt to solve New Hampshire's public education crisis, Democratic Gov. John Lynch has declared his commitment to propose a state constitutional amendment that would allow the state to give aid only to communities with the greatest need. Since the measure would only affect school districts in great need, it is not likely Hanover will be affected.
Currently, New Hampshire gives $800 million each year to supplement public education funds.
Early this week, the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies think tank released a report saying that state reforms have thus far done little to help education in poor towns.
"The governor has been saying all along that he believes directing aid to communities that need it most should be the focus of the state," said Lynch press secretary Colin Manning. "The main goal is to ensure that each child has an adequate education."
"The laws and programs to reform school finance ... have had no effect on pupil equity, as measured by per pupil spending," the report states.
State Rep. J. Timothy Dunn, D-Chesire County, the vice chairman of the New Hampshire House of Representatives Education Committee, suggests replacing the current property tax system with a less regressive state income tax.
Property taxes can rise without income growth, he said. He added that wealthy households only pay property tax, which pales in comparison to the proposed income tax.
"If you drive 50 miles east of Keene and talk about an income tax, you are an enemy of the people," Dunn said.
State Rep. David Pierce, D-Grafton County, whose district includes Hanover, said that the proposed changes in public education do not jeopardize the Hanover school district.
Hanover town manager Julia Griffin said she fears that the donor-town system, revoked in 2005, may return. Under this system, the state redistributed tax revenues from Hanover and other property-rich towns to towns in need of school funding.
Dunn, however, said that it is unlikely this system will return.
The state Supreme Court has ruled that the state is constitutionally responsible to provide an adequate education for all public school students. Last year, the court mandated that the legislature create a new definition of "adequate education" before July 1, 2007. If the legislature fails to do this, the court will hire an expert.
State Rep. Paul Ingbretson, R-Grafton County, said that he believes the state Supreme Court's decision is wrong because it attempts to legislate unconstitutionally.
"The court gave us this ultimatum that if we do not define adequacy, they will do it for us by hiring an 'expert,'" Ingbertson said. "Well, how do you define tyranny? By letting the experts do it and not the representatives of the people."
Ingbretson does not support Lynch's amendment and pointed to other states where public schooling improved after the state provided students with vouchers to go to private school.
"The problem with education is that we actually have an education monopoly in the public school system," he said. "Monopolies are inefficient. The solution for me is to try to privatize the whole system."
