Marcia Hayward: Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s ads are misleading with information

To The Daily Sun, 

Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s recent television ad stating she has increased funding for education without new taxes is very misleading.

While the governor may not have instituted new taxes, she has redirected existing funds. Meanwhile, local taxpayers will still shoulder the administration costs with HB 1563 as well as the costs for higher tier special education students.

HB 1563 changes the special education formula allowing for a wider pool of students to qualify. Under the new formula, districts can seek reimbursement when a student’s costs reach 2.5 times the average per pupil cost. This is a positive change.

However, for higher-need students who require intensive complex out of district placement. The state has capped its reimbursement at 90%. Previously, the state covered 100% of these costs. This change shifts a significant financial liability onto local budgets.

As welcome as the new tier system may seem, it comes with strict requirement and accountability measures before a dollar will ever be paid out. School districts must prove it aggressively billed Medicaid and private insurance first. They must submit certified individual student reports detailing exact services and disability-specific costs outlined in the child’s individual education plan.

This will create a significant increase in paperwork and administrative work for school districts, yet the bill provides no funding to cover those added costs. The reporting may be so burdensome that districts may decide not to pursue reimbursement.

So, while Gov. Ayotte can accurately say that she has increased educational funding without imposing a new tax, that statement leaves out an important part of the story. Costs have not disappeared. Some have simply been shifted ― from the state to local school districts, and ultimately to local taxpayers.

Marcia Hayward

Laconia