Amanda Dapkus

Dear Members of the Committee, My name is Amanda and I am a resident of Nashua, New Hampshire. I am writing to respectfully oppose HB 1815. I am the parent of a child currently in elementary school, with another who will be entering our public schools in the coming years. I am also a graduate of the Nashua public school system, and I am deeply grateful for the strong education I received there. I want my children to have access to the same high-quality education that helped prepare me for future success. This bill makes subtle but significant changes to the language defining an “adequate education” in New Hampshire law. While these changes may appear minor, they risk lowering the minimum standards for core content areas that our students depend on. An adequate education should reflect strong, consistent expectations that prepare students for college, careers, and civic life. Weakening these standards moves our state in the wrong direction. I am also concerned that this bill reclassifies education funding in a way that misrepresents the true financial responsibility carried by local communities. By declaring that both state and local education dollars count as “state funding,” the bill obscures the reality that most school budgets are funded primarily through local property taxes. This does not increase meaningful state support and continues to place strain on municipalities and taxpayers. In addition to wanting strong schools for my own children, I believe every child in New Hampshire deserves more than just the minimum. Students who do not live in larger communities such as Nashua should have access to the same opportunities, resources, and high standards as those who do. We should be working toward a more equitable system that lifts all districts, not one that lowers expectations. New Hampshire already relies heavily on local property taxes to fund public education, creating disparities between communities. Rather than redefining existing funds as “state funding,” we should pursue a fair, transparent, and sustainable funding system that truly supports all students. Our children deserve strong educational standards and honest accountability in how their schools are funded. This bill weakens both. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1815 Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Amanda Dapkus Nashua NH