N.H. School Funding Ruled Unconstitutional
New Hampshire's method of funding public education is unconstitutional, a state Superior Court judge ruled yesterday, because it unfairly favors property-rich communities and because it fails to calculate the cost of an adequate education.
New Hampshire's method of funding public education is unconstitutional, a state Superior Court judge ruled yesterday, because it unfairly favors property-rich communities and because it fails to calculate the cost of an adequate education. The court ruling was made in response to a lawsuit filed last summer by a coalition of two-dozen towns and school districts. It follows years of dispute in New Hampshire over whether public schools get enough money and are financed fairly. Because the new funding formula, approved by lawmakers last year, allows property-rich towns to keep the tax money raised beyond the cost of an ''adequate" education, the result is a tax rate without uniformity under which some communities reap disproportionate benefits, the court found.
Published Friday, Mar. 10, 2006