Jodi Adams

Position on HB 1623 Oppose The New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools respectfully opposes HB 1623. While we support transparency and accountability in the provision of special education services, this bill does not reflect the operational realities of chartered public schools or the variability in how special education services are delivered and funded across the state. Charter schools, like school districts, operate under different systems and incur different costs when providing special education services. The scope and availability of special education services varies among charter schools, resulting in differing cost structures. Compensation for special education personnel varies significantly based on geographic location and local labor markets. Charter schools often experience significant delays in reimbursement after billing a school district, frequently waiting three to five months for payment, and sometimes longer. As independent public schools, charter schools must retain independent control over their rates in order to reflect actual costs, manage financial risk, and continue providing appropriate services to students with disabilities.