Current:Home > ScamsCourt sides with New Hampshire school districts in latest education funding case-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Court sides with New Hampshire school districts in latest education funding case
View Date:2024-12-23 16:28:02
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire should be spending at least 80% more per pupil on public schools, a judge said Monday in one of two rulings that could force significant changes to education funding.
Lawmakers have been grappling with the issue for decades after the state Supreme Court ruled in the 1990s that the state is required to provide and pay for an adequate education. In response, the Legislature began sending each school district a set amount of aid per pupil — currently $4,100. Actual costs are much higher, however, and local property taxpayers make up the difference, with wide disparities due to differences in property wealth between communities.
Conval Regional School District and 17 others challenged the base amount in court in 2019, and after a trial in April, Rockingham County Judge David Ruoff agreed with them Monday that the current allocation is unconstitutional. While the plaintiffs argued aid must be increased to at least $9,900 per pupil, Ruoff declined to set a definitive amount but said it should be at least $7,356.
In his order, Ruoff said while he is mindful that the Legislature has the final say, school funding is a “complicated and politically-charged issue with a history that suggests some level of judicial intervention is now necessary.” He suggested politics have impeded the state’s duty to children, but said “that ends today.”
In a separate case, Ruoff also found the state has violated the constitution by not redistributing excess money collected via the statewide education property tax from wealthier towns to poorer communities.
The rulings are likely to be appealed. A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, which represented the state, said officials were reviewing the orders and considering next steps.
Kimberly Rizzo Saunders, superintendent of the Conval Regional School District, said the court recognized the substantial evidence offered by plaintiffs.
“Today’s decision reflects what has been apparent for years: that the State of New Hampshire has not lived up to its legal and moral obligation to adequately fund public education,” she said in a statement.
veryGood! (42456)
Related
- Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
- Gender-affirming care for trans youth: Separating medical facts from misinformation
- California’s New Cap-and-Trade Plan Heads for a Vote—with Tradeoffs
- Here are the best U.S. cities for young Americans to start their career
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- Jessica Biel Shares Insight Into Totally Insane Life With Her and Justin Timberlake's 2 Kids
- Dangers of Climate Change: Lack of Water Can Lead to War
- U.S. Power Plant Emissions Fall to Near 1990 Levels, Decoupling from GDP Growth
- Taylor Swift Becomes Auntie Tay In Sweet Photo With Fellow Chiefs WAG Chariah Gordon's Daughter
- Coal’s Decline Not Hurting Power Grid Reliability, Study Says
Ranking
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride launches bid to become first openly trans member of Congress
- International Day of Climate Action Spreads Across 179 Countries
- ACLU Fears Protest Crackdowns, Surveillance Already Being Planned for Keystone XL
- Mississippi woman pleads guilty to stealing Social Security funds
- Trump Budget Risks ‘Serious Harm’ to America’s Energy Future, 7 Former DOE Officials Warn
- Robert De Niro Reacts to Pal Al Pacino and Girlfriend Noor Alfallah's Baby News
- Remains of missing actor Julian Sands found in Southern California mountains
Recommendation
-
Love Actually Secrets That Will Be Perfect to You
-
Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss Can't Believe They're Labeled Pathological Liars After Affair
-
Video shows shark grabbing a man's hand and pulling him off his boat in Florida Everglades
-
Vanderpump Rules Reunion Pt. 2 Has More Scandoval Bombshells & a Delivery for Scheana Shay
-
Lady Gaga Joins Wednesday Season 2 With Jenna Ortega, So Prepare to Have a Monster Ball
-
Lily-Rose Depp Recalls Pulling Inspiration From Britney Spears for The Idol
-
Get 5 Lipsticks for the Price 1: Clinique Black Honey, Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, YSL, and More
-
Teen Wolf's Tyler Posey Engaged to Singer Phem