The primary purpose of the Commission to Study School Funding is to “review the education funding formula and make recommendations to ensure a uniform and equitable design for financing the cost of an adequate education for all public school students” (RSA 193-E:2-e).
The Commission is charged with developing school funding policies that comply with court decisions calling for uniform revenue sources and fulfillment of the Constitutional requirement for a state-funded adequate education for all preK-12 students.
The Commission consists of 16 members appointed by the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Governor, and the Commission chair. Six of these are public members (not currently serving legislators).
The Commission is chaired by Representative David Luneau of Hopkinton (Merrimack—District 10).
History
As part of the final budget resolution enacted by the New Hampshire General Court at the end of the 2019 legislative session, RSA 193-E was amended to create a commission to study school funding. The General Court recognized that the long-time challenge of funding New Hampshire’s public schools, resulting in both legislative and judicial efforts to assure proportional and equitable financing, demands intensive study in order to create legal and sustainable solutions.
The new Commission will build on the work of prior study and oversight committees in order to develop policy recommendations for consideration during the legislative session beginning in January 2021.
Timeline
- Winter – Spring 2020: Review of past reports, collection of existing data, presentations by state agency staff, focus groups with key stakeholder groups, initiate student engagement activities
- Spring – Summer 2020: Research and analysis by national experts, early modeling of new funding methodologies
- Summer – Fall 2020: Statewide public engagement, complete research and analysis, identify preferred policy option(s)
- Report due to the General Court: December 1, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
The Commission to Study School Funding is charged with developing school funding policies that comply with court decisions that call for a more uniform and equitable revenue system for New Hampshire schools and a system that also fulfills the New Hampshire Constitutional requirement for adequate education for all. The Commission was chaired by Rep. David Luneau of Hopkinton, N.H.
The primary purpose of the Commission is to “review the education funding formula and make recommendations to ensure a uniform and equitable design for financing the cost of an adequate education for all public school students” (RSA 193-E:2-e).
The Carsey School supported the Commission’s research, engagement, and communication efforts, and assisted with their logistical needs in collaborating with state agencies, education experts, and local school officials.
