Heard: Bill to Repeal Charter School Eligibility for State Building Aid Draws Split Testimony

The committee heard testimony on HB 515, which would repeal language that allows charter public schools to apply for state school building aid. Opponents of the repeal said inclusion in the application process corrects a contradiction in state law and is tightly limited; supporters of repeal argued scarce building aid should prioritize traditional public districts.

Representative Maureen Mooney, who sponsored last term’s bill to allow charter schools that own their buildings to apply, said the 2023 law corrected a contradiction in statute, limited eligibility (only charter schools that own their building, grant payments spread over time, Board‑approved asset‑disposition plans), and was the result of a year‑long House Education Committee review. She recommended HB 515 be held “inexpedient to legislate.”

Jody Adams of the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools said most charter schools do not own buildings and the change was meant to include a small subset of charters that own property and meet strict requirements. Charter advocates also noted existing lease‑aid programs are separate and were expanded previously.

University System and traditional public school proponents raised concerns about closure and asset disposition if a charter that received state aid later dissolved; sponsors said charters’ disposition plans are public and should be enforced. Lawmakers asked about the number of charter failures and whether assets revert to local districts; witnesses said the state has documents and that any asset disposition language can be enforced.

Ending: Committee members asked for details on charter school asset plans and historical data on charter openings/closures and asset disposition as they consider HB 515 alongside broader building‑aid and adequacy bills.