Bruce Wilhelm: Protect schools, local control and vote no on Question 2

To The Daily Sun,

Do not fall into their trap.

This year, every ballot in New Hampshire includes “Question 2,” which asks if a resident's town should cap property tax growth for their school district.

The NH Constitution recognizes the value of an educated society and workforce and requires the state to guarantee and fund an adequate education for every child.

NH schools spend about $23,000 per student, higher than the national average of $18,000 but less than neighboring Vermont at $30,000. The average state funding for public schools nationwide is 47%. In NH, it is only 24%, the lowest in the nation. The state is not meeting its obligation to adequately fund public education.

Recent Legislatures have cut corporate business taxes and totally eliminated the Interest and Dividends Tax. These cuts significantly reduce state revenues and funding for the Education Trust Fund from, which all school funding comes.

Meanwhile, the state increased funding for private charter schools and expanded the school voucher program, which ballooned as income limits were removed and vouchers were given to families whose children were already enrolled in private schools.

So as state tax revenue decreases and more Education Trust Fund money is diverted to private schools, less is available to meet the state’s obligation to adequately fund public schools. Higher local property taxes are the result.

We must not fall into their trap and handicap our school boards or allow our public schools to fail. Do not give up local control to Concord, who are the ones causing higher property taxes by not meeting the state’s obligations.

Bruce Wilhelm

Moultonborough