Jessie Paine

As a homeschooling parent living in the northern district of our state, I strongly oppose this amendment to the Education Freedom Accounts and Scholarship Organization program. Northern New Hampshire faces distinct challenges. Our region is both geographically and financially remote, with limited access to academic and extracurricular opportunities. While I now homeschool my children, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and understand firsthand the significant challenges educators face in striving to provide students in our state with the same level of education available elsewhere. It is deeply concerning that some state representatives would consider further stepping back from the responsibility to ensure equitable educational access for all of New Hampshire’s youth. For families in rural areas like ours, these funds have helped bridge critical gaps. They have made possible educational and extracurricular opportunities that would otherwise be financially out of reach. Without this support, many children in northern communities would face even greater disparities compared to their peers in more populated regions. Homeschooling has given our family the flexibility to provide an individualized education that works best for our children, but choosing this path does not mean our children should be excluded from state support. They are residents of this state and deserve the same consideration as any other students. My children and I are active members of both our local and statewide communities, particularly through volunteer and youth development programs such as 4-H, which enrich their education and civic engagement. Having lived in New Hampshire for most of our lives, my husband and I have personally witnessed a steady decline in accessible opportunities for children compared to what was available when we were growing up. We made a conscious decision to raise our family in a rural area, understanding that physical access to certain programs would be limited. However, the dramatic increase in the cost of participating in local extracurricular activities has been shocking. Programs that were once affordable and widely accessible are now financially out of reach for many families. New Hampshire is often recognized for the strength of its elementary education system. Yet the ongoing lack of adequate state funding makes it clear that this strength depends heavily on the perseverance and dedication of educators and families rather than consistent structural support. Reducing or restricting these funds would only intensify existing inequities, particularly for rural students who already face significant barriers. I urge you to carefully consider the real and lasting impact this amendment would have on families in northern New Hampshire. Our children deserve access to meaningful educational and extracurricular opportunities, and our state has both the responsibility and the opportunity to support every young person to the best of its ability.