NH committee hears hours of testimony on local education freedom accounts; bill retained for more work

Representative Kevin Verville, the bill’s prime sponsor, opened testimony on House Bill 748, saying the measure would let New Hampshire communities enable local “education freedom accounts,” or LEFAs, by local ballot and that the state adequacy grant would be a pass-through into those accounts.

“Public education in New Hampshire means that each local community has an obligation to educate the children in their community,” Verville told the committee, and, he said, LEFAs are intended to shift funding to families as an option while preserving local oversight of special education and requiring statewide assessments for accountability.

The bill drew extensive public comment and sharp questioning from committee members. Opponents included retired and active teachers, school board and budget committee members, special-education directors and parent advocates who described problems…