Committee Summary for Senate Education Finance (04/17/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB557 00:03:01.519 - 12:02:02 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the information that appears on the school budget ballot.	Berry, Ross(R)[A-]2024
HB718 00:25:24.320 - 12:24:25 PM	Public Hearing	requiring the state board of education to report the unfunded financial impact to school districts for rules adopted by the board which exceed state or federal minimum standards.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2024
HB771 00:39:51.160 - 12:38:52 PM	Public Hearing	relative to funding for open enrollment schools.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2024

HB557: Representative Ross Barry, representing Gothtown and Wear in Hillsboro 44 Support00:03:01.519 - 12:02:02 PM; Representative Ross Barry introduced House Bill 557, which aims to add information on the school ballot about the average cost per pupil and the district's proficiency scores in English language arts, math, and science from the immediately preceding year. He believes this information will help voters make informed decisions on the school budget, especially considering the significant portion of property taxes that go towards education.
HB557: Senator Rosen Information Only00:05:15.759 - 12:04:16 PM; Senator Rosen questioned the implication of a direct relationship between the cost per pupil and student proficiency scores, considering demographic factors. Representative Barry responded that the data is already public and providing it on the ballot would enhance voter information, especially given the significant impact of school budgets on property taxes.
HB557: Representative Glenn Cordelli, representing Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, and Ossipee in the Lakes Region Support00:07:59.560 - 12:07:00 PM; Representative Cordelli, as chair of the Education Policy Administration Committee, supported the bill for its transparency. He suggested that including the average cost per pupil from his specific town within a cooperative district could be beneficial due to cost disparities among towns. He highlighted the importance of such data for voters and school board members, especially in understanding and potentially influencing district strategic plans.
HB557: Scott Rose, Business Administrator for SAU19 representing Goffstown and New Boston Oppose00:10:36.959 - 12:09:37 PM; Scott Rose opposed the bill, stating that the information it mandates is already provided by school districts during budget presentations and online. He noted the additional costs and complexity of lengthening ballots, and raised concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the data proposed for inclusion. He also highlighted existing state resources that provide comprehensive data for voter information.
HB557: Mark Manganello, Bureau of School Finance, Department of Education Information Only00:20:19.360 - 12:19:20 PM; Mark Manganello did not take a position on the bill but advised the committee to consider using a standardized definition of cost per pupil, as provided by the Department of Education, for consistency and transparency. He explained the current methodology for calculating cost per pupil and mentioned the Students First Act, which requires similar information to be posted during budget meetings.
HB718: Representative Rick Ladd, Chair of House Education Funding Support00:25:24.320 - 12:24:25 PM; Representative Rick Ladd introduced House Bill 718, which mandates the State Board of Education to report the unfunded financial impact on school districts for rules that exceed state or federal requirements. He emphasized the need for clarity on the fiscal impact of these rules, given the significant costs associated with special education and the challenge of unfunded mandates. He mentioned ongoing efforts to better understand and manage these costs, including data collection and analysis.
HB718: Senator Rosen Information Only00:30:56.080 - 12:29:57 PM; Senator Rosen expressed concerns about the implementation of HB718, specifically questioning how the State Board of Education, rather than the Department of Education, would calculate the costs of rules for numerous school districts. He used the example of developing a rule for career technical education to illustrate the process and the need for clarity on how the State Board would handle such calculations.
HB718: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:31:42.720 - 12:30:43 PM; The unnamed speaker explained that the Department of Education would work with the Director and the State Board to develop rules that support statutes, which then need approval and review. The process involves collaboration between the department's bureaus and the State Board, followed by a review every ten years.
HB718: Drew Klein, Chairman of the State Board of Education Information Only00:32:43.960 - 12:31:44 PM; Drew Klein highlighted the challenges the State Board of Education would face in complying with HB718, noting that the board has no staff to perform the required cost calculations. He suggested that the bill should clarify who would be responsible for these analyses, possibly involving the LBA or a designated department member, as the board currently lacks the resources and expertise to do so effectively.
HB718: Bonnie Dunham, Marlow Oppose00:35:53.839 - 12:34:54 PM; Bonnie Dunham expressed strong opposition to HB718, concerned that it might lower New Hampshire's special education rights to the federal minimum. She criticized the bill for focusing only on costs without considering the long-term benefits of current special education rules, such as higher employment rates for students with disabilities. She argued that the bill's analysis of fiscal impact is incomplete as it does not account for the benefits of these rules.
HB718: Representative Glenn Cordelli, Tuftonboro Information Only00:39:04.079 - 12:38:05 PM; Representative Cordelli clarified that HB718 applies only to new rules and not to existing ones, suggesting that the law's effective date would limit its scope to future rule adoptions.
HB771: Representative Katie Pattrell, Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro Support00:39:51.160 - 12:38:52 PM; Representative Pattrell introduced HB771, explaining that it seeks to correct issues with the open enrollment law without requesting additional state funding. She highlighted the importance of the bill in ensuring that the sending district pays the receiving district, retaining 20% of the cost per pupil, and noted the bill's relevance to the case of Prospect Mountain High School.
HB771: Representative Rick Ladd, Haverhill Support00:42:21.000 - 12:41:22 PM; Representative Ladd supported HB771, emphasizing its role in clarifying the responsibilities of sending and receiving districts in open enrollment. He stressed the benefits of allowing students to attend schools that offer programs not available in their home districts, and discussed the financial arrangements, including the 80/20 split of per-pupil costs. He also addressed concerns about special education funding and the potential savings for sending districts.
HB771: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:50:49.400 - 12:49:50 PM; The speaker discusses the financial implications of losing students in a school district, particularly in relation to staffing and facilities. They also mention the current model of career technical education (CTE) where receiving districts charge tuition for students from other districts, which contrasts with the proposed open enrollment program. The speaker highlights the complexities and potential issues with open enrollment, including funding formulas and the impact on sports and other extracurricular activities due to NHIAA policies.
HB771: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:51:39.680 - 12:50:40 PM; The speaker continues the discussion on open enrollment, emphasizing the need to address funding formulas and the potential for minimal incremental costs when adding students to schools with declining enrollment. They also mention the example of a UNH course to illustrate the point about incremental costs.
HB771: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:52:42.319 - 12:51:43 PM; The speaker addresses the impact of losing students on a large district like Nashua, noting that significant numbers of students would need to leave the same school at the same grade level to realize marginal savings. They also mention the current informal open enrollment practices between districts.
HB771: Mr. Gross Information Only00:53:49.119 - 12:52:50 PM; Mr. Gross provides technical points on the bill, suggesting amendments to clarify responsibilities regarding funding and educational decision-making for children with disabilities in open enrollment schools. He also mentions the potential costs associated with 504 plans and the need for school districts to account for both expenditures and offsetting revenues from open enrollment tuition.
HB771: Dr. Timothy Brick, Superintendent of Schools for Alton and Barnstead Support00:56:34.400 - 12:55:35 PM; Dr. Brick supports HB771, stating it clarifies existing language in RSA 194D. He mentions his unique position operating New Hampshire's only open enrollment school and discusses the financial challenges they face due to unclear law interpretations. He believes the bill will solve existing problems and agrees with suggested language changes to further clarify the bill.
HB771: Dr. Timothy Brick, Superintendent of Schools for Alton and Barnstead Information Only01:01:40.480 - 1:00:41 PM; Dr. Brick explains the differences between open enrollment and tuition agreements between school districts, emphasizing that open enrollment allows schools like his to sustain programs and attract students without guaranteeing all students from a district a place, as tuition agreements would.
HB771: Dr. Timothy Brick, Superintendent of Schools for Alton and Barnstead Information Only01:02:45.480 - 1:01:46 PM; Dr. Brick discusses how school districts estimate the number of receiving students under open enrollment, using his district's experience with vocational programs as an example. He notes the importance of budgeting for potential students and the flexibility in adjusting budgets based on actual enrollment.
HB771: Caitlyn Bernier, Merrimack Oppose01:04:58.480 - 1:03:59 PM; Caitlyn Bernier opposes HB771, focusing on the negative fiscal impact it would have on local taxpayers and school districts' ability to budget effectively. She argues that the bill widens the gap between wealthier and less affluent districts, forcing fiscal decisions that impact property taxpayers. Bernier also mentions the challenges faced by lower-income districts and the potential negative impact on students with IEPs and 504 plans, using Wisconsin as an example. She urges lawmakers to prioritize adequate funding for public and special education over bills like HB771.