O P I N I O N

THE SOAPBOX

Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.

As a newly elected At-Large member of the Manchester Board of School Committee, I am calling on my fellow Queen City residents, and all concerned Granite Staters, to take action. We have a critical opportunity to correct a deeply inequitable policy that targets the Manchester School District, and to urge our State’s elected officials to SUPPORT HB 1831.

Manchester is New Hampshire’s largest school district and serves many of the State’s most disadvantaged, and most vulnerable children. HB 1831 removes the cap on the State’s education aid – a cap that applies ONLY to Manchester. Under current law, this cap will strip at least $10 million annually in anticipated and fully warranted funding from our district beginning next year.

Such a loss is devastating. In addition to harming our children, and handicapping our ability to serve them, it also undermines the overall health and stability of Manchester, our city, whose success is inseparable from the success of its public schools. And, stating the obvious, the cap directly puts additional strain on Manchester taxpayers.

Manchester is also New Hampshire’s most diverse school district. Considering Rep. Kristen Noble’s (R-Bedford, Chair of the NH House Education Committee) release of private messages purportedly advocating for segregated schools, and explicit attempts by State Legislators to erase efforts that celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, it is reasonable to conclude that the funding cap, specific to Manchester, is by design. It MUST be reversed.

Your voice matters. One way to participate is by attending the committee hearing on Tuesday, January 20 at 11 a.m. in Concord. You can also sign in remotely:

• Visit: https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx
• Select:
  • Date: January 20
  • Committee: House Education Funding
  • Bill Number: HB1831
• Choose the category that best represents you and indicate SUPPORT.
• You may also submit written or recorded testimony. The deadline for submission is Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.

Civic engagement is a responsibility we all share. I invite you to stand with me—as an unapologetically pro–public education community member—and make your voice heard.

Cindy Stewart is an At-Large Board of School Committee member for Manchester.

Beg to differ? Agree to disagree? Comment below using our DISQUS app. Got issues of your own? You can DIY your submission here.