New Hampshire legislators and public education advocates are raising concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the state’s Education Freedom Account program. Since its inception in 2021, the program has distributed nearly $45 million to families choosing alternative education options for their children. However, a recent bill signed into law requires a performance audit of the program, which has been met with challenges in obtaining necessary financial information.
The Office of the Legislative Budget Assistant, tasked with conducting the audit, has faced obstacles in accessing data from the New Hampshire Department of Education and the third-party contractor, the Children’s Scholarship Fund. Despite efforts to initiate the audit process, the education department cited privacy concerns and lack of authority in providing the required information. This has led to frustration among legislators, who are questioning the program’s operation and financial transparency.
State Senator Cindy Rosenwald and Senator Debra Altschiller have expressed concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency in the Education Freedom Account program. They have raised questions about the sudden disappearance of financial information from the state education department’s website and the challenges in obtaining data from the Children’s Scholarship Fund. The legislators are pushing for more oversight and clarity regarding the program’s expenditures and eligibility criteria.
While some information is available on the Children’s Scholarship Fund website, including demographic data and expenditure reports, there are still gaps in the data provided. The program is open to New Hampshire residents with family incomes at or below 350% of the federal poverty level. However, details about non-switchers, students already in private schools receiving grants, are not readily available, raising further questions about the program’s reach and impact.
The ongoing audit process has highlighted the complexities surrounding access to data and the responsibilities of the involved parties. The Children’s Scholarship Fund contract with the state outlines requirements for providing information to oversight committees, but concerns about student privacy and data protection have complicated the audit process. Despite these challenges, advocates for transparency argue that the public has a right to know how taxpayer-funded programs are being managed and utilized.
As the audit progresses, stakeholders are hopeful for more clarity and accountability in the Education Freedom Account program. While some legislators see the program as a valuable opportunity for students, others are calling for increased oversight and transparency to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being effectively utilized. The outcome of the audit and the subsequent reports will shed light on the program’s operations and financial management, providing valuable insights for policymakers and the public alike.
