Kirsten Burke

To the Members of the New Hampshire House Education Policy and Administration Committee: As a Republican and a member of my local school board, I am writing in strong opposition to House Bill 1358, which proposes establishing a commission to study transitioning all public schools in New Hampshire into public charter schools. While I respect efforts to explore education policy, this proposal is unnecessary and risks undermining a public school system that already ranks among the best in the country. New Hampshire’s public schools consistently perform at high levels in academic achievement, graduation rates, and college readiness. They serve nearly 90% of our students and are deeply rooted in local communities. These schools provide stable, accessible education to students of all backgrounds without selective admission or lottery systems that can create winners and losers. A commission to study a statewide charter transition raises serious concerns: 1. Unnecessary Disruption to a High-Performing System Our schools are already delivering excellent results. Studying a transition to charter governance without clear evidence it would improve outcomes diverts attention from practical challenges such as equitable funding, teacher retention, and supporting rural districts. 2. Risk of Increased Inequities Charter systems often rely on enrollment choices and limited seats. Families with more information or resources are advantaged, while others may be left behind, creating unequal access to high-quality education. 3. Threat to Local Control and Community Investment Locally elected school boards allow parents and community members to directly influence decisions. A statewide charter transition could weaken this accountability and reduce community engagement. 4. No Guarantee of Funding Improvements While the bill suggests exploring ways to reduce reliance on local property taxes, there is no guarantee this would succeed. The fundamental funding inequities between districts require direct legislative solutions rather than broad structural changes. As someone who works daily with our schools and communities, I believe our focus should remain on strengthening what works: supporting quality teachers, expanding early childhood education, addressing funding disparities, and assisting struggling districts. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to oppose HB 1358 and instead prioritize solutions that support and enhance New Hampshire’s high-performing public school system. Thank you for your time and consideration.