This bill proposes significant changes to the funding structure for adequate education in the state. It amends RSA 198:40-a to increase the annual cost of providing an adequate education from $4,100 to $7,356.01 per pupil, with the new cost taking effect for the biennium beginning July 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of an adequate education in RSA 193-E:2-b to include a comprehensive list of necessary resource elements, such as costs for teachers, administrative staff, technology, and transportation. The general court is also mandated to update the cost of an adequate education at least every two years, using actual cost data from approved schools.

The bill deletes the previous biennium start date of 2023 and replaces it with 2027, reflecting the new timeline for implementation. It also emphasizes the importance of evidence-based cost assessments by requiring the general court to utilize actual costs from all approved schools to determine the necessary funding for an adequate education. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance the educational resources available to students by increasing funding and clearly defining the components of an adequate education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:40-a, 193-E:2-b
SB582 text: 198:40-a, 193-E:2-b