Letter to The Honorable Michael Balboni Chairman, House Education Committee

Letter

Governor John Lynch today made clear his opposition to legislation aimed at once again making New Hampshire the only state in the nation that does not provide access to public kindergarten to every child.

The House Education Committee today heard testimony on House Bill 631, relative to repealing the requirement that all school districts offer public kindergarten. The legislation further exempts some school districts, which opt not to move forward with plans to implement kindergarten, from repayment of state funds they received for the purpose of adding kindergarten.

"The independent research is clear about the importance of kindergarten to the education of our children and the contribution it makes to ensuring later academic success," Governor Lynch wrote to the committee. "By ensuring all of our children have the opportunity to attend kindergarten, we are laying the foundation for success, and providing an equal opportunity for all students to begin their education on sure footing."

Governor Lynch in 2007 signed into law the definition of an adequate education, which made it clear that all children should have the opportunity to attend public kindergarten. Up until passage of that law, New Hampshire was the only state in the country that did not provide every child the opportunity to attend public kindergarten.

"I believe that education is the opportunity we provide all our children to have better lives and better futures. This opportunity should begin with kindergarten," Governor Lynch wrote. "I urge you to continue to support access to public kindergarten for all New Hampshire children."

A copy of the Governor's letter is below.

February 8, 2011

The Honorable Michael Balboni
Chairman, House Education Committee
Legislative Office Building, Room 207
33 North State Street
Concord, NH 03301

Dear Chairman Balboni and Members of the Committee:

I believe that our children are the future of our state. They are our future elected officials, our future first responders, CEOs and educators.

As Governor, I have worked tirelessly, to improve the opportunities we are providing for our children to receive a quality education. I believe we have made significant progress in meeting that goal.

In 2007, for the first time, the state defined an adequate education - a definition that includes Kindergarten. The independent research is clear about the importance of kindergarten to the education of our children and the contribution it makes to ensuring later academic success. By ensuring all of our children have the opportunity to attend kindergarten, we are laying the foundation for success, and providing an equal opportunity for all students to begin their education on sure footing.

I believe that education is the opportunity we provide all our children to have better lives and better futures. This opportunity should begin with kindergarten. I urge you to continue to support access to public kindergarten for all New Hampshire children.

Sincerely,

John H. Lynch
Governor

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