The Education Freedom Account, also known as the hated school voucher program, came into existence in 2021 and was aggressively promoted by Free Staters as a “choice” for low-income New Hampshire families who wanted to either send their children to private school or home school them, rather than public schools. It was originally intended for students who were already in public school to make that transition. It was also originally intended for students whose family’s annual income was at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. That cap had been incrementally raised and now, in five short years, has been eliminated altogether.
The Children's Scholarship Fund (based out of New York), is the administrator of the school voucher program. ClassWallet doles out the money to educational providers. This includes homeschools, on-line learning, out-of-district public schools and private/religious schools. And yes, they do draw a paycheck, costing the state an additional $5 million each year. This past Session Democrats attempted to bring accountability to this out-of-control, public education destroying, program. No go, these bills got tabled or voted against.
Let’s refresh on what YOUR tax dollars are subsidizing by the voucher system while the Free Staters continue their attack on public education:
Your child interested in taking dance lessons, including Irish step? How about learning karate/martial arts? Plenty of businesses to choose from. Perhaps your child is interested in horses, just contact a stable in Alstead, Belmont or Temple. They’ll set your child up. French horn lessons. Piano lessons. Photography school. Child needs driver training? Schools in Enfield, Goffstown, Moultonborough or Rochester. Tutors? Skiing lessons? Gunstock Area Commission received $62,738; Pat’s Peak Ski Area, $4,246; Waterville Valley Ski Area, (Sununus, they’ll take your money) $237. Let’s not forget the Association of Pickleball Players who received $1,510 in voucher money. All happy to do so. Here’s another one with their hand out, The Prickle. Their logo is the Free Stater porcupine. Tells us all we need to know . . .
Did you know the Children’s Scholarship Fund has approved 12,500 EFAs (way up from the original 300 of barely five years ago), now totaling over $60,000,000 in state funding?
Did you know NH’s Education Trust Fund is a state‑maintained account created by RSA 198:39 to collect specific state revenues and use exclusively for designated education‑related purposes, including school grants, special education aid and certain property tax relief programs. Made a little more challenging now with more and more state revenue sources being outright repealed by the Free Staters.
Now for the petition organized by Kathleen Keegan Malsbenden and Stan Duncan seeking financial accountability of this unconstitutional program. The petition will then go to the Governor and members of the NH Legislature.
To add your name, click here. And then be sure to share with others.
So far, three states, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Colorado have formally ended their public school voucher programs through voter referendums. Let’s add New Hampshire to that list by voting out the Free Staters in Nov.!