Kreiva Community Help Needed
Kreiva Community,
This coming week a bill (HB521-FN) that directly impacts charter schools is coming before the State House Finance Committee. The bill would increase the cap on charter school lease aid from $30,000 per school to $50,000 per school and has been scheduled for a public hearing in the House Finance Committee, Tuesday, February 16th at 10:30am.
This bill is important to all charter schools as we do not receive any local or state aid to build or purchase a building of our own. As a result, many of us are leasing buildings at market rates resulting in building related costs being one of our largest budgetary items. What this means is less money in our budget available for education-related expenses (more teachers, classroom technology, supplies, etc.). The Lease Aid bill attempts to rectify this by providing additional funds to help offset building-related costs. The bill’s language can be found here: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billText.aspx?sy=2021&id=779&txtFormat=html
Charter school opponents have been very active this session. We are asking members of our Kreiva community to register their support for this bill on the state website. It is a quick and easy way to show your support for Kreiva as well as all charter schools. Additionally, if you are inclined, please consider testifying in person and/or submitting written testimony in support of the bill. See directions below:
HOW TO REGISTER TO TESTIFY AND DECLARE YOUR SUPPORT FOR HB521-FN ON STATE WEBSITE
Step 1. http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx
Step 2. Select the Calendar Date – February 16th
Step 3. Select the Committee – House Finance
Step. 4 Choose Bill – HB521
Step 5. Select – I Am a Member of the Public
Step 6. Select I am Representing – Myself
Step 7. Indicate your Position – I support this Bill
Step 8. Check the box if you would like to testify over Zoom in support of HB521FN
Step 9. Click Continue
Step 10. Finalize answers on the next page and submit.
HOW TO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB521-FN TO THE COMMITTEE
Option 1 – You can send your written testimony to Matt Southerton with the NH CHarter School Alliance matt@nhcharterschools.org and he will submit your testimony along with other supporters.
Option 2 – You can email the Chair of the Finance Committee Ken Weyler directly at: kweyler@aol.com.
ZOOM HEARING INFORMATION
Members of the public may attend using the following links:
To join the webinar:https://www.zoom.us/j/92166004660
Or Telephone: 1-929-205-6099
Webinar ID: 921 6600 4660
The following email will be monitored throughout the meeting by someone who can assist with and alert the committee to any technical issues: LBAFiscal@leg.state.nh.us.
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Tal Bayer, Head of School
Kreiva Academy Public Charter School
phone: 603 232-7974 ext 103
email: tbayer@kreiva.org