As a City Councilor in Dover, I feel compelled to address a pressing issue that is impacting all of us as residents: the continuous rise in our local taxes. Many of you have likely noticed your property tax bills increasing year after year, and it’s vital we all understand the underlying reasons for this trend.
The crux of the problem lies in New Hampshire’s current education funding formula, which woefully underfunds our school districts.

Under the current formula the state allocates $4,100 per student, with additional funding for students with special needs or other qualifying factors; this is considered the “base adequacy aid”. In January of this year, New Hampshire Department of Education released its newest cost per pupil data for the 2022-2023 school year. The new statewide average operating cost per pupil of $20,323. A 4.8 percent increase from the previous year.

Dover spends a frugal $17,000 on average per pupil.

By the state’s own estimate, its costs in excess of $20,000 per student for education yet it only allocates $4100 per student. This discrepancy places an unconstitutional burden on our local communities, as the state has a constitutional obligation to ensure that every resident receives an adequate education.

Because of this funding shortfall, local residents are left to shoulder a heavier tax burden to fill the gaps left by insufficient state support. Each tax increase we see is a direct consequence of our community needing to allocate more funds to our schools in order to maintain basic standards of education. Simply put, every time we face a budget shortfall, it is our local taxpayers who must make up the difference.
Moreover, proposals such as school vouchers, which redirect public funds away from our traditional public schools, further complicate our financial landscape. These vouchers not only exacerbate the funding gap but also undermine the resources available to our school systems. Instead of easing our burden, these policies create an uneven playing field and diminish the quality of education in our public schools.

It is crucial that we come together to demand a reevaluation of the state funding formula. We need a system that ensures all students receive the quality education they deserve without imposing an unfair tax burden on local residents. Our children’s future—and the financial well-being of our community—depend on it.