CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Board of Education has placed an indefinite moratorium on authorizing new charter schools after learning past approvals have increased state aid by more than $5 million.

The Nashua Telegraph reports that the board voted Wednesday at its meeting in Whitefield to hold off on approving new charter schools due to the funding issue. In the past two years, the board has authorized eight new charter schools. The state gives charter schools about $5,500 in aid per student.

State board Chairman Tom Raffio said the state money isn’t there to support new schools.

Charter school startups can still seek support from local school boards, but those schools still would need approval from the state board and receive some state funding.