Richard DeMark: Will state legislature finally fully fund public education?

To The Daily Sun,

This summer the New Hampshire Superior Court told the State of NH that it is not meeting its constitutionally required obligation to adequately fund public education. This most recent court decree is essentially the same as almost 40 years ago in the first Claremont lawsuit. Since then, we have unfortunately elected many to our Legislature, for governor and the governor’s council, people who have failed us when it comes to providing our public schools and our communities with the financial support needed to educate our children and maintain our educational facilities. 

NH may soon be in an educational and local taxation crisis. The Legislature and governor continue to allow public tax dollars to go to home and religious schoolers regardless of family income and without fiscal accountability. At the same time, our Legislature has eliminated essentially all sources of state revenue. Local communities trying to keep their school doors open are faced with raising revenue the only way they can, by raising property tax. We have already seen crises in Claremont and will soon see others, especially in property poor communities, especially those not lucky enough to have valuable waterfront properties or corporate headquarters in their tax base.

So today, the question is, will our Legislature and governor actually listen to the Court this time and do what is required by our NH Constitution? The recent actions of our current legislators indicate that they have no intention of solving this long-standing problem. But readers can influence what does happen. Over the next legislative session, voice an opinion regarding proposed legislation and ask elected representatives what they are doing to fund public education. Since 2026 is an election year, I suggest readers ask candidates what they will do as well.

Richard DeMark

Meredith