trahloc t1_iu1wjv4 wrote on October 27, 2022 at 11:03 PM

Reply to comment by Selfless- in Constitutional Convention ballot question by niateratez

>Note: NH has been operating in violation of its own constitution for decades by not funding schools equally in all districts.

I tried finding what you're referencing but the first one I could find is [Art.] 6. [Morality and Piety.] at https://www.nh.gov/glance/bill-of-rights.htm "But no person shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support of the schools of any sect or denomination"

The only other one was [Art.] 83. [Encouragement of Literature, etc.; Control of Corporations, Monopolies, etc.] https://www.nh.gov/glance/literature.htm "Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination."?

Perhaps it doesn't reference schools directly?

Selfless- t1_iu2jpvg wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:00 AM

I think the gist of art 83 makes it the State’s responsibility to provide good schools. But our schools have been and continue to be funded mostly by the municipalities.

So I think we either need a statewide tax to collect from everyone and pay for everything as one, or we need to officially push the providing-of-schools responsibility down to town level.

trahloc t1_iu2lhxl wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:14 AM

The way that particular article is worded is like a ... well ... word salad. But "encourage" doesn't really mean to me as "equal equity" since how would that be measured? Per student, per teacher, per school? Even if it's the most logical of per student some schools have 1000 students some have 50 and economy of scale means there is no way to get an equal level of funding. Some places are just wasteful afterall.