implementing an alternative school building aid grant formula,
establishing size and cost standards for the
construction of new school facilities, and permitting high
school vocational technical education programs which
lease space to be eligible for school building aid grants.
last updated 03/15/03, 4:00PM
03/04/03 - House Education Committee Reports
From House Calendar No. 19, 03/07/03
HB 751-FN-LOCAL, implementing an alternative school building aid
grant formula, establishing size and cost standards for the
construction of new school facilities, and permitting high school
vocational technical education programs which lease space to be
eligible for school building aid grants.
MAJORITY: OUGHT TO PASS.
MINORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. John R. M. Alger for the Majority of Education: This bill
provides an alternative method of computing school building aid that
benefits less wealthy communities, but leaves the existing building
aid program in law. In addition, a lease provision is included with
a ten year limit after which renewal requires further approval. In
addition, the bill places school room size limitations (square feet
per student) above which the state will not pay its cost without
preventing school districts from building to their own designs. This
size limit and land area limits are similar to those in our
surrounding states and were recommended in a recent Legislative
Budget Assistance audit of the facilities planning function of the
Department of Education. As a result of the size limitations, in
spite of the greater state support for less wealthy communities,
analysis of projects during recent years shows the bill will be
close to revenue neutral. Vote 10-7.
Rep. Claire D. Clarke for the Minority of Education: This bill
creates a new and unrealistically low square foot size limitation for
new school construction projects in New Hampshire. This limitation
would have adversely affected reimbursements to sixty percent of the
projects approved during the last three years according to certain
testimony. In addition, this law size limit would adversely impact
smaller school communities. This adverse and unintended consequence
suggests that this policy change needs further study.