CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire’s deputy education commissioner on Monday denied allegations that his agency deliberately tried to scuttle a bill that would have increased funding for charter schools.
The legislation would have boosted funding for charter schools from about 40 percent to nearly 48 percent of the average per pupil funding for traditional public schools, but House lawmakers voted last month to study it further after confusion arose over projected enrollment and cost numbers provided by the department.
In the fiscal note attached to the bill, the department estimated how much the bill would cost the state in fiscal year 2015. But while the bill was being debated, the agency also projected costs out to 2018. Critics say the figures in the second set of numbers were inflated and misled lawmakers who voted to postpone action on the bill.
Rep. Ken Weyler, R-Kingston and the bill’s sponsor, told an oversight committee Monday that the conflicting information was timed to make it difficult for him to pass the bill.
“I’m here to inform you of the underhanded dealings of the Department of Education, in the person of Deputy Commissioner Paul Leather,” he told a charter school oversight committee. “A few select people were given the new note, not identified in the usual way as a fiscal note but sent from an opponent of charter schools showing a huge increase in charter school enrollment costs over the next five years.”
Asked to explain the projections, Leather said the first set was based on hard data and was meant to be considered with the bill, while the second set of projections was developed at the request of lawmakers for future budgeting purposes and wasn’t meant to be attached to the bill.
“We do try to work with legislators when they come to us,” he said. “In the past, we’ve had discussions and shared estimates with the two finance committees as long as it’s understood that they are simply estimates that may change if the assumptions do not hold true.”
Rep. Susan Ford, D-Easton, said that while she supports the concept of charter schools, the conflicting figures weren’t the only reason the bill failed. She said lawmakers need more time to thoroughly study the issue.
Charter schools are public schools that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools but are subject to greater accountability. Seventeen are open, four have been approved to open next fall, five others have submitted applications and another six are in the planning stages.
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