Debate Intensifies Over School Funding in New Hampshire Gubernatorial Race
Former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, now running for governor in New Hampshire, has voiced disagreement with a judicial ruling on the state’s public school funding, a topic she has historically taken contentious positions on. Ayotte, a Republican, is contesting the governorship against Joyce Craig, the former mayor of Manchester.
According to the New Hampshire state constitution, it is required that each child receives an adequate education. In 2023, Superior Court Judge David Ruoff sided with plaintiffs who argued that the state was not fulfilling this requirement. Judge Ruoff’s decision called for an increase in education spending from $4,100 per student to at least $7,356.01 per student.
At a candidate forum in June, Ayotte expressed her hope that the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn Judge Ruoff’s ruling. “When it comes to education funding, I personally think that that Superior Court decision was wrong,” stated Ayotte. “I’m glad that the governor has appealed that to the Supreme Court.”
Despite Ayotte’s stance, critiques emerge from the fact that while New Hampshire is among the top states for the quality of public schools, it ranks last in state funding for education. The funding system largely depends on local property taxes, leading to inequitable resource distribution between affluent and poorer districts.
In 2013, Ayotte opposed a bipartisan amendment aimed at boosting federal funds for schools in low-income areas. Although her opposition was noted, the amendment passed successfully. Ayotte’s approach to school funding has also extended into higher education. In 2012, she supported a congressional budget proposal to reduce Pell Grant funding, a move that could have impacted financial aid availability for a million college students. The proposal was not enacted as it failed in the Senate.
Ayotte has also been a proponent of school choice policies, which critics argue could detract from public school funding. School choice often involves public funds being allocated to students attending private institutions through vouchers. Critics warn that such vouchers might not cover full tuition costs, potentially limiting access for low-income families.
In 2021, Ayotte backed the New Hampshire legislature’s initiative to implement Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). These vouchers allow families to use state funds for various educational options, including private schooling and homeschooling. However, EFAs sparked controversy due to unclear regulations on their use.
Concerns were raised when New Hampshire Public Radio reported in June that the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Richmond benefited from EFAs. The school is affiliated with the Saint Benedict Center, identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group spreading anti-Semitic theories.
Despite her track record, Ayotte’s campaign website asserts her commitment to improving New Hampshire’s public schools. The latest YouGov poll from October indicates Ayotte leading Craig by a narrow margin.
