New Report Finds NH Spending on Public Schools Nearly Doubled as Enrollment Declined

Average per-pupil spending in New Hampshire district public schools has nearly doubled this century, as student enrollment declined sharply and reading and math assessment scores fell. That’s the finding from a new Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy study released Wednesday.

Adjusted for inflation, total public school district spending increased by $1.25 billion, or 45 percent, between 2001 and 2024.

Over that same period, enrollment plunged by 54,381 students, or 26 percent.

And, the Barlett Center notes, the news isn’t good for parents and taxpayers hoping the surge in spending had a similar impact on test scores.

“As total spending rose by 45 percent and staffing increased significantly, New Hampshire’s National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading and math scores