Christina Philibotte | Support HB1831

Dear House Education Funding Committee: I am writing to show my support for House Bill 1831. As a resident of Manchester, a long-time NH resident, a decades long public educator, a mother, and human who believes all students should have access to the resources they need to thrive, I am in favor of repealing the amendment to last year's state budget placing a cap on funding for school districts with low-income populations larger than 5,000 students. Given that Manchester has the highest population of students from low-income backgrounds, has the most racially diverse student population, and being the ONLY school district in the state that has 5,000+ low income students, the add-on to last year's budget is unfair, unkind, and a penny wise and a pound foolish. Granite Staters are frugal, not foolish. This purported savings to the state falls onto the backs of Manchester taxpayers and will likely force the school district to make cuts for kids who need the most support. As a longtime public school educator, I have seen the impact of cuts in programming for students and families who need it most. For some, this may seem like a cost-savings to the state, but for families, these funds represent vital resources for much needed programs that will ultimately help families move out of challenging financial times and give NH kids a chance at the American Dream. Reducing such resources amidst this state's existing inadequate funding for public education is simply irresponsible and undermines NH's future. This trend of sneaking in and forcing through legislation in the state's budget more often does not represent the requests or values of the legislators' own constituents. This add-on and cap is a blatant shirking of the state's constitutional responsibility to fund public education, but moreover, it's this kind of shortsighted decision making that has a history of catalyzing preventable public health issues that cost lives. Such unsavory tactics do not represent NH values. I strongly support HB1831 and repealing the unfair, unkind add-on to the state's budget. Granite Staters are good neighbors and kind humans. We are honest and when folks need it. most, we show up for each other. I am asking our legislators to show up for NH's future and be the example our kids deserve. Thank you for hearing my testimony. Sincerely, Christina Kim Philibotte