Viewpoint: Michelle Stahl – Community Conversations/The Schools and the State

On Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m., the Monadnock Center for History and Culture and Monadnock Ledger-Transcript will present a Community Conversation titled “The Schools and the State” at the Monadnock Center, 19 Grove St. in Peterborough. ConVal School Board member Curtis Hamilton of Greenfield and Republican state Rep. Jim Creighton are the “conversation starters.” Each will give a brief presentation before the remainder of the hour is devoted to questions and comments. Michelle Stahl, executive director of the Monadnock Center, will be the moderator.

It has been over 30 years since the first Claremont decision (1993) said the State of New Hampshire must provide an adequate education for our children. Nearly 30 years have passed since the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that the state must fund education in a way that is equitable to taxpayers (Claremont II, 1997).

A generation later, not much has changed. Over 60% of school funding is raised through local property taxes. Wealthy districts enjoy high per-pupil spending, and less-wealthy communities spend far less per student. Thirty years later, school districts and taxpayers are still struggling to fund education. The state’s role in school funding continues to be litigated in the courts, most notably in the ConVal case.

On Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. the Monadnock Center for History and Culture will host a Community Conversation to examine the state’s relationship and responsibilities to fund an adequate education. The conversation opens with our “conversation starters” who will share their perspectives and insights. Curtis Hamilton, Greenfield representative to the ConVal School Board, and state Rep. Jim Creighton will start the conversation. The floor is then opened for all to comment, question and share their perspectives.

The Community Conversations series is a collaboration of the Monadnock Center for History and Culture and the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript. Community Conversations are designed to foster civic engagement around issues and opportunities facing our communities. The conversations are free and all are welcome.

Michelle Stahl is executive director of the Monadnock Center for History and Culture, and will serve as moderator for the Community Conversation May 21.