Amber Kingsbury

My name is Amber Kingsbury, and I am writing in support of HB1456. For the past 23 years, I have been a teacher at a rural village school, and I now serve as a co-principal. Over those two decades, I have watched our school community work tirelessly to provide a safe, stable, and high-quality education for our students—often with limited resources but an unwavering commitment to children. This year, our school lost nearly $300,000 in state funding for the upcoming budget cycle. The impact of this loss is immediate and profound. Our community’s residents are now facing a tax increase that is beyond many families’ capacity to afford. These are hardworking people who care deeply about their school but are already stretched thin. This is also a population of many senior citizens on fixed incomes. Without meaningful action, our school faces cuts that would cripple our ability to operate. Essential staffing, student supports, and core programming are at risk. The conversation has shifted from “what do we reduce” to the very real possibility of whether our school can remain open at all. The potential shutdown of a community school is not just a financial decision—it is a decision that affects children’s stability, families’ connection to their town, and the long-term vitality of rural communities. HB1456 represents an important step toward addressing inequities in school funding and providing communities like ours with a fair chance to sustain local education. Our students deserve access to the same opportunities as those in better-resourced districts, regardless of their zip code or local tax base. I urge you to support HB1456 so schools like ours can continue to serve students, support families, and remain the heart of our communities. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Amber Kingsbury Co-Principal and Educator