Aldermen agree to land swap, restarting momentum on new Beech Street School

MANCHESTER, NH – In an 8-6 vote, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) accepted an agreement that will allow the paused new Beech Street Elementary School project to proceed once again.

The move followed a second pause on the project in November, with the BMA declining to move forward until additional information could be provided for Aldermen who expressed concerns about the project and the Manchester School District’s facilities plan in general.

There was nearly two hours of comments from the public regarding the topic at the BMA’s Tuesday meeting. Supporters of constructing the new school noted the importance of the facility to one of the most underprivileged parts of the city as well as identified state aid relieving the need for local tax usage in its construction as bonding had already been approved for the project in December 2023. They also noted that the “open concept” format of the building was outdated and providing little sunlight and cramped artificial spaces not conducive to learning.

Opponents of moving forward feared that state aid would be removed in future years, requiring tax increases to pay for bond repayment. It was also stated by former Board of School Board Member Kevin Avard and others that the school was younger than some of the others in the city at just over 50 years old. The opponents also wondered why other alternatives could not be found, such as renovations to accompany those conducted just a few years ago at the school, or building a brand-new school at the site of the now closed Henry Wilson Elementary School.

Matt Rice, a member of the project management team for the school proposal and other projects within the facilities plan indicated to the board that integrating limited renovations to the existing school would be more costly than just building a new school due to difficulties integrating modern-day design styles with the existing school.

Those renovations were estimated at $83 million versus $81.5 million for a rebuild, versus $53 million to renovate or rebuild Wilson and $108 million for a comparable rebuild at the nearby McDonough Elementary School, just outside of the city’s center area. However, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais said that the Wilson proposal is not acceptable given the former school’s current footprint would not be enough on its own and eminent domain of several nearby properties would be needed for that option.

Ruais told the board and others in attendance at the meeting that he did not support the project when it was voted on, shortly before he became mayor. He also noted that there is currently legislation being considered in Concord that would facilitate overturning the decision seeking bonding for the first phase of the facilities plan.

However, he stated that the best course of action on Tuesday night was to move forward since work was already underway regarding the first phase, and there were additional oversight steps in the process before the project’s completion.

He also noted that December’s pause was not to stop construction, but rather to give time for the Aldermen to ask further questions, which he believed were answered in an FAQ that was attached to the meeting’s packet.

“Governing requires balance. We have to make difficult decisions and balancing in what we do,” he said.

BMA Chair Joseph Kelly Levasseur expressed his frustration with continuing the project, believing that rebuilding the school was unnecessary and both state aid and city budgets were far too volatile year-over-year to ensure that homeowners tax rates would not continue to climb. He also attacked many of the members of the public testifying from Ward 1 in the northern part of the city, stating that their affluence was out of touch with the financial challenges faced by residents elsewhere in Manchester. He also attacked Manchester School District leaders for what he saw as a lack of transparency during the process and an inability to create more cost-effective solutions toward improving Manchester’s public schools.

“You can’t innovate, you can’t renovate, and you can’t educate,” he said to the school leaders. “Tearing down Beech Street School, a perfectly good building, is insane.”

In response, Ward 3 Alderman Pat Long noted that every municipality neighboring Manchester has had larger tax increases in recent years, some due to investment in their own schools, also chiding Levasseur for his attack on the North End residents.

“I welcome Ward 1 residents to come and testify any time they want,” said Long. “Last time I checked, they were a part of this city.”

Ward 6 Alderman Crissy Kantor expressed concern with modular classrooms being used temporarily during construction and felt the facilities plan should not have been split into separate components. Ward 5 Alderman Anthony Sapienza felt that discussion got off track given that the only thing being voted on was the land swap.

As December’s vote only requested additional details for the Aldermen, Ruais was parliamentary entitled to request Tuesday’s vote without a reconsideration vote of November’s decision. Outside of Ward 1 Alderman Chris Morgan, all of the Aldermen voted the same way on Tuesday that they did in December. Supporters of the project included Long, Anthony Sapienza, Ward 2 Alderman Dan Goonan, Ward 4 Alderwoman Christine Fajardo, Ward 9 Alderman Jim Burkush, Ward 10 Alderman Bill Barry and At-Large Alderman Dan O’Neill. Opponents included Levasseur, Kantor, Ward 7 Alderman Ross Terrio, Ward 8 Alderman Ed Sapienza, Ward 11 Alderman Norman Vincent and Ward 12 Alderwoman Kelly Thomas.

In a statement provided to Manchester Ink Link, Morgan said that after talking with numerous constituents in Ward 1, the most pragmatic approach was to continue the already in-progress construction on Beech Street.

Like Ruais, Morgan said that he did not support the bonding decision made before his term began and does not support the currently projected $2 billion price tag for the second phase of the facilities plan, spread out over 14 separate projects over the next several decades. Additionally, he echoed Ruais’ points regarding future decisions the Aldermen have with whether the current Beech Street School will be demolished or if it will be used for other purposes.

“My number one priority is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent in the wisest way. The current school budget covers the costs associated with Phase One and proceeding will not result in an increase in property taxes,” Morgan said. “However, if we prolong this decision further, taxpayers will incur additional expenses through delaying the project. In the future, we need more cooperation and dialogue with the Manchester Board of School Committee and I inivte them to work with the BMA on solutions moving Manchester schools forward.”

Manchester School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Chmiel released the following statement after the vote.

“We are grateful for tonight’s vote to allow the Beech Street School project to move forward. We greatly appreciate the strong support of the members of our community – taxpayers, educators, business leaders, elected officials – who came here tonight to speak in support of this project. This new school is a major investment in the students, families and staff of Beech Street School. Moreover, it’s an investment in the center city – an important symbol that we believe in the potential of the place and the people who live there. Our team is eager and ready as we know there is no time to waste.”

Board of School Committee Vice Chair James O’Connell also released a statement.

“Tonight’s vote to move forward with the construction of a new Beech Street School is an important step in the right direction. I am grateful to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for moving this project forward.

Our students and families deserve to have great schools. Tonight’s vote sends a message that the city of Manchester is ready to invest in its future. The area where this school will be built is the neediest part of our proud city. Thousands of future Manchester children will benefit from this decision. I am proud of the work done by the Board of School Committee over recent years to develop a long-term plan for our facilities. The city of Manchester took an important step forward tonight.

Let the message ring out: Manchester is on the march! Manchester is a great place to live, work and play and it is a great place to educate your children.”

A statement from the mayor can be found here.