establishing a foundation opportunity budget program for funding public education.

HB 1586 proposes a new state funding system for public schools in New Hampshire that shifts from measuring financial inputs to measuring student outcomes. Under this plan, the state would calculate a specific budget for each school district based on the estimated cost needed for all students to reach the statewide average performance in areas like test scores, graduation rates, and attendance. The bill includes a transition mechanism with grants to protect current funding levels for local municipalities while the new system is implemented. Ultimately, the legislation aims to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to achieve the same educational goals regardless of where they live or the wealth of their community.