As many Conspirators know, things have become very busy for Gardner Goldsmith and many of those devoted to liberty in NH. Over the past two days, Gard has been named a Director of the NH Advantage Coaliton (found here: http://www.thenhadvantage.com/). Their first press conference of 2007 was Tuesday, in Concord, where they laid out the picture for NH if something is not done to refute the court in its unsupportable, and unsupported, education funding rulings going back to 1993.

Last night, Gard and his new compatriot, Tammy Simmons, of the NHAC, attended one of the sham "adqeuacy forums" put together by the Governor and some state reps. This was a meeting that gathered in Manchester, and the state legislators and senators who attended got an earful from citizens who actually recognize the impossibility of objectively defining something (an "adequate" education) which is by its nature, subjective. In addition, Gard pointed out that the panel claimed its charge was to hear from citizens about what was a "CONSTITUTIONALLY adequate education." The only trouble for them is that there is no such term written in the NH Constitution.

Tough, but they don't care. Here is the report from the Manchester, Union Leader. Many thanks to them, as well. Good report. (PS. WAY TO GO, KATE RICHARDS!)
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Lawmakers get earful on 'adequate' education

By CAROL ROBIDOUX
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
15 hours, 13 minutes ago

MANCHESTER – Education cannot be "adequate" unless it considers the needs of the individual child -- and also includes kindergarten for all, provides curriculum for gifted students, allows flexibility for students with disabilities, prepares students for 21st-century technology, hires a fleet of guidance counselors to bridge gaps between parents and administrators, and extends the school day to allow children who don't speak English at home to catch up on basic skills with a qualified teacher.

And that's not all.

But that was the bulk of suggestions brought before a joint legislative task force during last night's public meeting at Memorial High School.

It was the second of five planned statewide forums meant to give voice to the people, as lawmakers listened.

The crowd of more than 50 included several local politicians, teachers, school administrators and others who came with prepared statements outlining their particular agendas.

Among them, Rona Zlokower of MediaSmart, a community education program through Child Health Services. She said teachers have trouble competing with the kinds of seductive technology kids are mastering at home.

"We need to teach teachers to use technology to a greater extent in the classroom so that MTV is not overtaking the ABCs," Zlokower said.

Hooksett school board chairman Joanne McHugh said her school resources are mostly devoted to the general population or special education students.

"We face a difficulty in our community to meet the needs of advanced learners," McHugh said. "What you are defining here are minimum standards. We expect these students to be the leaders of the future. They can't do that with a minimum education."

Kate Richards, of the Performing Arts School in Bedford and founder of the Greater Manchester Alliance for the Gifted, said the definition of "adequate education" is too subjective to be mandated by the state.

"A one size fits all education doesn't work," Richards said. "In each class you will find a child who is struggling to understand and you will find a student waiting for the next topic because she's already mastered it."

Mary Ellen Hannon, superintendent of Derry schools, said it's time for all districts in New Hampshire to offer kindergarten. Hers is one of about 10 that do not.

"Saying no to public kindergarten means politics wins over children," Hannon said.

Tammy Simmons, executive director of the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition, said that the series of meetings, which she said were orchestrated by Gov. John Lynch, are "merely a feel-good exercise" that will lead New Hampshire to a statewide income tax.

"We don't need to define adequate education. The court has overstepped its bounds and the legislature has not stood up to keep it in check," Simmons said.
Coming Friday, as part of the fantastic Liberty Forum (see our side panel for the link!) in Concord, Gard will present an overview of the ed funding problem, and will welcome others who have excellent information to offer. He is greatly in the debt of the organizers of the Forum.