Opinion

LTE: NH Public Education Under Attack

Public education is the bedrock of our democracy, where its values are taught. A well-educated citizenry is critical to supporting and continuing our democracy. Their knowledge makes them informed voters and independent, active, self-supporting community participants. Public education can give all children the opportunity to become their best and participate as equals in our society and economy.

Republicans – including Representatives Judy Aron, Skip Rollins, Steve Smith, Walter Spilsbury, Walter Stapleton, Senator Ruth Ward, – have passed and Governor Sununu has signed laws that are eroding our top-rated public education system by underfunding education at the state level and pushing the burden on local communities and property taxpayers to make up the difference. Our state’s expansive school voucher program takes tax dollars to pay for private, religious, and homeschooling which is not subject to state oversight for quality. Furthermore, there are no safeguards against educational discrimination. Students are denied the opportunity to question and learn about racial and gender issues that have been banned as divisive concepts. Teachers’ loyalty has been attacked. There have been efforts to undermine collective bargaining. To cover up for all these efforts to undermine and underfund public education, there was bi-partisan support for extraordinary need grants for economically disadvantaged districts like much of Sullivan County.

Who we send to Concord matters! It’s time to elect candidates who will fund public education, support collective bargaining and workers’ right, and assure that every child receives a quality education. In Sullivan County, vote for these candidates – State Representative: Jason Bourne, Bruce Cragin, John Cloutier, Hope Damon, Virginia Irwin, Robert Lovett Jr., Gary Merchant, Andrew O’Hearne, William Palmer, John Streeter, Brian Sullivan, Linda Tanner, Linda Wadensten; State Senate: Richard Lobban Jr., Charlene Lovett, Suzanne Prentiss; Executive Council: Soshanna Kelly, Cinde Warmington; Governor: Dr. Tom Sherman.

Claudia Istel

Acworth, NH

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