Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Ayotte Challenges School Funding Ruling
Kelly Ayotte, a former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire and current Republican candidate for governor, has publicly disagreed with a judge’s decision regarding the funding of public schools in the state. The ruling, delivered by Superior Court Judge David Ruoff, concluded that New Hampshire’s schools are underfunded, necessitating an increase in spending from $4,100 to at least $7,356.01 per student to meet constitutional requirements.
Ayotte, known for her contentious stances on education, voiced her opposition during a candidate forum in June, expressing hope that the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn the decision. “When it comes to education funding, I personally think that that Superior Court decision was wrong,” Ayotte commented, adding her support for the governor’s appeal to the Supreme Court.
Despite her viewpoint, New Hampshire is ranked among the top 10 states for public education quality but is last in state education funding, relying heavily on local property taxes. This system leads to significant disparities in resources between affluent and less wealthy areas.
Ayotte’s record includes past opposition to measures aimed at increasing funding for education. In 2013, she opposed a successful amendment to an appropriations bill that aimed to provide more federal aid to schools in low-income areas. She also supported budget proposals that sought to reduce Pell Grant funding, which could affect access to higher education for many students.
Additionally, Ayotte is a proponent of school choice policies, which could potentially divert funds from public schools to private institutions. Critics argue that such policies, often implemented via vouchers, could limit access to private education for low-income families if vouchers do not cover full tuition costs.
In 2021, Ayotte backed the New Hampshire legislature’s Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) initiative, allowing families to use state funds for private schooling, homeschooling, and other educational expenses. The EFAs have stirred controversy, especially after reports emerged that a school associated with the Saint Benedict Center—a group identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center—benefited from the program.
Despite her past positions, Ayotte’s campaign insists she aims to make New Hampshire’s public schools the best in the nation. Recent polling by YouGov indicates a competitive race, with Ayotte currently holding a narrow one-point lead over her opponent, former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.
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