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Senate panel hears sharp criticism of bill to study converting New Hampshire public schools to charters
Summary
Witnesses and education groups told the Senate Education Committee that House Bill 13‑58—creating a commission to study transitioning all public schools to public charter schools—risks undermining district schools, lacks balanced membership and ignores statewide funding inequities.
The Senate Education Committee heard heated testimony on House Bill 13‑58, a bill proposing a commission to study transitioning New Hampshire public schools to public charter schools. Representative Katie Paternell introduced the bill as an exploratory, fact‑finding effort focused on funding mechanisms and increased parental involvement.
Opponents, including Deborah Howes, president of the American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire, urged the committee to reject the bill or delay it, saying charter schools are mission‑driven and are not designed to serve every student. "Charter schools are specific, focused mission‑driven schools," Howes said, arguing that the state must first resolve longstanding funding disparities that leave some districts unable to provide a constitutionally guaranteed, robust public education.
Several retired teachers and union representatives echoed that concern. Sarah Thorn, a retired public school teacher, said the bill would create "uncertainty" for prospective and current teachers and could harm recruitment. Mary Wilkie, another retired teacher, warned that charter schools are not overseen by elected local boards and described differences in transparency and accountability.
Supporters included Representative Wood, who said he chairs a charter school and described the operational flexibility charters offer, arguing that some struggling districts might benefit from alternative governance. "Pittsfield may be the worst of the worst," he told the committee, describing local financial and governance problems he said a charter structure could address.
Labor and education organizations pressed the committee on the proposed commission's size and membership, saying the charge is too narrow for the sweeping policy change it envisions. Brian Hawkins of NEA New Hampshire said the commission as drafted had "a limited number of voices" and that the November 1 deadline to complete the study was unrealistic.
The chair closed the public hearing without a committee vote. Committee members asked detailed follow‑up questions during testimony, and no formal action on the bill was recorded at the hearing.
