Richard Dunnell: State of NH ‘downshifting’ current rising education costs

To The Daily Sun,

Paul Rossi's letter of Sept. 1, claims that Lois Kessin was wrong when she blamed rising education costs on "downshifting" on Concord. In fact, she is correct.

It is true that public education costs are more today than 15 years ago. Costs for transportation, utilities, healthcare, building maintenance, and personnel has increased over time. Schools, like business, and taxpayers, are operating in a very different economic climate than in the past.

The question to ask is who is expected to bear these costs? Data from the Department of Education shows a clear pattern. While education costs have risen, local taxpayers have taken on an increasing share as the state has failed to keep pace. Since 2012, the state's contribution, including SWEPT, has grown by approximately $140 million, while the local property taxpayers have taken on an additional $1.07 billion. To put it into percentages, the state increased by 14% compared to 68% for the taxpayer. Over the same period inflation rose roughly 40%, meaning the state's contribution did not even keep pace with inflation.

The consequence of this shift creates difficult budget conversations for residents. They are facing rising housing costs, rising healthcare costs and rising property tax bills.

The question facing New Hampshire is whether Concord is willing to accept its responsibility for funding and stop the pushing of more burden onto the local taxpayer. Paul Rossi's comments would indicate that he feels the state has done enough. The evidence would say no.

No matter how the Republicans twist the data, there is an indisputable fact we can not ignore, NH is dead last nationwide in its support of public education.

Richard Dunnell

Laconia