NH communities explore re-forming coalition opposing ‘donor town’ model for education funding
Modified: 1/10/2021 8:55:11 PM
LEBANON — A group of communities who fear a return to New Hampshire’s “donor town” system of education funding is moving to re-form a coalition that opposed past efforts to funnel money from property-rich municipalities to their less-fortunate neighbors.
Under a proposal put forward by the city of Portsmouth, the Coalition Communities would pool money for a lobbyist and other “related experts” to advocate on their behalf at the Statehouse, according to Lebanon City Manager Shaun Mulholland.
He said Portsmouth officials are now working to craft a memorandum of understanding to govern the coalition, which once boasted 34 members, including Grantham, Hanover, New London and Sunapee.