An Open Letter to NH Charter School Parents - Granite Grok

An Open Letter to NH Charter School Parents

The letter below is posted on behalf of State Representative JR Hoell, Bow/Dunbarton

May 6, 2014

Dear New Hampshire Charter School parents,

Yesterday, we learned that our Governor nominated William “Bill” Duncan to the New Hampshire Board of Education (NHBOE).  This nomination could be confirmed by the Executive Council as soon as this Thursday, May 8th.  This particular nomination should concern anyone who values the Charter Schools as well as all forms of Education choice in New Hampshire.

The Governors nomination of the activist Mr. Duncan comes as quite a surprise to those following NH politics.  Never in recent memory has one who has initiated and assumed the role of lead plaintiff in a court case filed AGAINST the State of New Hampshire ever been simultaneously nominated for a seat on a prestigious board.  Even more surprising is that the Board would be the Board of Education where Mr. Duncan has lead the fight against the first program for educational opportunity for the children of low and middle income.

(STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT

CASE No. 2013-0455

BILL DUNCAN, et al. v.  STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, et al.)

Furthermore, Mr. Duncan is on record for trying to shut down the Charter School programs by publicly advocating against the additional funding bill for Charter schools (HB435) as well as making outrageous public statements, such as:

 “Charter schools are a political statement not an educational improvement”. http://anhpe.org/…/charter-schools-are-a-political…/

 “I always consider policy discussions about privatization – proposals to dismantle publiceducation and replace it with charters, vouchers and home schools – a distraction…

http://nhlabornews.com/tag/bill-duncan/

So HB 435 raises big questions about whether New Hampshire should fund a fast-growing new system of charter schools out of the state’s scarce revenues.

http://anhpe.org/2014/03/17/message-to-nh-house-members-hb-435-would-increase-charter-funding-by-30-million-in-the-next-3-years/

Given Mr. Duncan’s radical activism against education choice in New Hampshire, we do not believe that he can render an impartial decision regarding the oversight of charter schools and therefore is unqualified to fill the position he has been nominated for.

If you value your children’s future and their education, please contact the following Executive Councilors immediately who will be voting on this nomination as early as this Thursday.

Executive Council Office: (603) 271-3632

 Honorable Joseph D. Kenney, (District 1)   Home Office (603) 473-2569

Honorable Colin Van Ostern  (District 2)  Home Office (603) 290-5848

Honorable Christopher T. Sununu (District 3)  Home Office (603) 658-1187

Honorable Christopher C. Pappas (District 4)  Home Office (603) 867-8438

Honorable Debora B. Pignatelli (District 5)  Home Office (603) 888-5245

Sincerely,

Representatives:

JR Hoell, Bow/Dunbarton; Laura Jones, Rochester;  Pam Tucker, Greenland; Leon Rideout, Lancaster; Dan Itse, Fremont; Carol McGuire, Epsom; David Murotake, Nashua; Michael Sylvia, Belmont

Call your Executive Councilor today!
Call your Executive Councilor today!
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