This matter is not that complicated. We have great public schools here in Bedford New Hampshire. I fully support them now as I did when I served for three years on the Bedford School Board and while my older son attended and graduated from Bedford High School. I recognize, however, that alternatives must and do exist for ALL Granite Staters. We have always had school choice in this state and country. The wealthiest citizens in our country can afford to send their children to the best available private schools in the country. But why should all but the wealthiest among us be the only people with an alternative to public schools that may, for any reason at all, be undesirable for parents and students? When citizens are required by law to have 100% of their tax dollars directed 100% of the time to one type of public school, the public schools become a monopoly with no incentive to improve. Competition drives improvement, not just in business but in many other organizational structures, including schools.
Charter schools are also public schools and represent a highly desirable and effective schooling option for certain parents, children, teachers and administrators. Home schooling is another desirable option for parents and students who wish to pursue an education that includes a basic educational curriculum, supplemented with alternative materials that fit the educational and cultural requirements and regimens that are appropriate for that particular family’s needs. Religious schools such as Catholic schools are also a highly attractive educational construct for yet another group of parents. My younger son attends Catholic school where children are required to wear a uniform and experience at least one religion class per semester. That works for my son and our family.
Forms other than the above public and private alternatives exist. Why should parents of these children be required to contribute 100% of their educational tax dollars to monopolistic public schools when better alternatives for a particular family’s needs exist? I would support legislation that broadly allowed a significant percent or fixed dollar amount of the educational portion of tax dollars paid by parents be at their control for redirection towards an educational construct that better suits their family needs. Alternatively, I would support legislation to provide a substantial tax credit to families that choose an educational alternative. Both alternatives provide an attractive option for families that desire an alternative and yet allow many, perhaps most, families to continue to choose more broadly attended public options. Let’s use common sense and offer all Granite Staters a choice.
School Choice is a Cost Savings to the Taxpayers
https://youtu.be/E9_xhZekyvs
NH Education Choice is Good for All
https://youtu.be/wmJd-TfXO-s