Putting students first
Two things are true: Mascenic students need and deserve a quality education provided by knowledgeable, caring educators who are valued for their work. And New Hampshire’s failure to adequately fund public schools has created inequities that place an unfair burden on local communities like ours.
It’s important to recognize that the challenges facing the Mascenic school budget are not solely of our own making. Like many New Hampshire towns, Mascenic is affected by the state’s ongoing failure to meet its constitutional obligation to fund public education. While New Hampshire ranks among the top 10 states in overall education spending, it ranks last in the share paid by the state. This funding system shifts costs onto local property taxpayers and strains already limited resources.
Our students should not bear the consequences. They deserve stability, adequate staffing, and the resources to meet diverse student needs.
I will proudly vote to support the Mascenic school budget and support the staff contract because that’s what our students need to build a bright future. As a taxpayer, I, too, am frustrated with the rise in property taxes. The solution, however, is not to shortchange our schools, but to address the root cause — the state’s failure to provide adequate education funding. That’s why I’m taking the next step by holding my state lawmakers accountable.
On Tuesday, March 10, let’s vote yes on Articles 4 and 5. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mascenic Regional High School in New Ipswich and the SAU Building in Greenville. After voting, I urge residents to contact their state legislators and urge them to fix this broken system and ensure all students have access to a public education that supports their needs and fosters a love of learning, regardless of their zip code.