Bruce Jenket: There are ever-increasing costs to educating kids today

To The Daily Sun, 

My last letter to the editor on “seeking truth and printing it” was about the declining proficiencies in English and math in New Hampshire schools. This will be to provide truth about the ever-increasing costs of educating our children. It was inspired by a local contributor that claimed, “New Hampshire doesn’t prioritize education, ranking dead last for the percentage of state funding for education." Readers were misled to believe our K-12 education costs are the lowest in the nation, when in fact the article she referenced was for college education.

The truth is, NH is the ninth most expensive state in the country for K-12. (Check out “Public School Review” at tinyurl.com/2s45epk2). 

According to that website, the cost per student (CPS) nationally is $17,074 per year. In NH, it’s $21,319 per year. I tried to find the federal Department of Education numbers, but they only went up to 2021. Like most federal agencies, they lag behind by years.

Back to the topic of CPS.

Here in NH, there is a wide range of CPS depending on school district. Here is a link to the NH Department of Education (tinyurl.com/5e5zs6n7). CPS ranges from $15,135 in Auburn to $44,484 in Pittsburg. Moultonborough was the sixth highest in NH in 2024 at $35,664. That is more than double the national average. Despite that, Moultonborough voted for a 13% pay raise for teacher’s last spring.

I’m focusing on Moultonborough, because I’m a resident. However, this is a statewide problem. The buzzword today is “affordability.” Has anyone looked at their most recent property tax bill? Mine increased 28% since 2020. That is just five years, and the majority was due to school increases.

If readers believe the more schools spend the better their education, think again. Despite Moultonborough having the sixth highest CPS in NH at $35,664, they ranked No. 80 out of 189 in school proficiencies according to Public School Review (tinyurl.com/4vrmysfj). By comparison the Hanover School District has a CPS of $25,447 and is ranked No. 2 in proficiencies (tinyurl.com/44xrn4v7). If the NHDOE has different ranks, I couldn’t find it. Note: CPS were from the NHDOE website for 2023-2024.

People complain, but if they don’t attend the annual budget meeting, they get what those that attend approve. Teachers, staff and parents are always well represented. In 2024 a mere 9% of Moultonborough voters approved an $8.1 million bond that is now being repaid over 15 years. It passed by a single vote. This past spring, 12% of voters approved a 13% pay raise for teachers. Similar increases happen in other towns across the state.

Like my last letter on proficiencies, this one is to provide facts on costs. Based on the facts, it’s my “opinion” Moultonborough is paying too much for mediocre proficiencies. If you agree, you need to get involved. If my facts are wrong, contact me at bjenket@gmail.com or write a rebuttal letter. Those in other towns, readers should do their research and contact their local school board if CPS is disproportionate to academic proficiencies. 

Bruce Jenket

Moultonborough