More state support for public schools needed
The National Education Association’s 2026 report shows that New Hampshire is 50th in the nation for state education funding. Also, the NEA report indicates that the state lost 6.74% of its teachers in a single year and the number of students per teacher increased by 5.66%, one of the highest increases in the country.
And, New Hampshire’s national rankings for teachers’ salaries fell to 42nd in the country in starting teacher pay and 33rd in top salaries. Adjusted for inflation, teacher pay has declined by more than 7% since 2017.
It’s time for new lawmakers who will increase state spending for our public schools and pay our teachers more money so that we can recruit the best people to educate our kids.
Allen Davis is a candidate for State Representative District 18 (Dublin, Jaffrey, and Rindge) and an educator who has been a teacher and leader in secondary school and higher education.