Lindsay Dreyer

Dear Members of the Committee, I am writing in strong support of HB 1799. I am a resident of Peterborough, a graduate of the ConVal School District (Class of 2001), and the parent of three children currently enrolled in ConVal schools. I am also a local real estate agent, which gives me a front-row seat to the real-world impacts of how New Hampshire funds public education. HB 1799 matters to me both personally and professionally. As a parent, I want my children—and all children in our state—to receive the full, constitutionally adequate education they are entitled to, without districts being forced to make impossible tradeoffs or rely disproportionately on local property taxes to fill funding gaps. As a homeowner, rising property taxes are a serious and growing concern for my family. These increases are not abstract; they affect household budgets, long-term planning, and housing stability. And as a real estate professional, I see firsthand how our current education funding structure impacts affordability, housing access, and community sustainability. High and unpredictable property taxes make it harder for families to buy homes, stay in their communities, and invest long-term in towns like Peterborough. This hurts residents, schools, and local economies alike. HB 1799 represents a necessary and overdue step toward aligning state responsibility with constitutional obligations. By more clearly defining what constitutes an adequate education and increasing the state’s share of funding, this bill moves us toward a fairer system—one that reduces the overreliance on local property taxes while still supporting strong public schools. New Hampshire cannot continue to place the burden of statewide educational obligations primarily on local communities. HB 1799 acknowledges that reality and offers a more sustainable path forward. I urge you to support HB 1799 and take meaningful action to ensure that public education is funded fairly, responsibly, and at the state level—as our constitution requires. Thank you for your time and for your consideration. Sincerely, Lindsay Dreyer Peterborough, NH ConVal Class of 2001 Parent of three ConVal students