Board approves $237,999,925 appropriation for Manchester School District after heated budget debate

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to amend the resolution appropriating funds to the Manchester School District, approving a new total of $237,999,925. Alderman Long moved the amendment and Alderman Barry seconded; a roll call vote followed and the motion passed, as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Supporters said the additional funding is needed to preserve extracurriculars, staffing and student services. During public comment, Mackenzie Verdiner, coordinator for Young Organizers United, urged aldermen to protect clubs, sports and school cleanliness that students and families value. Julie Turner and other speakers described district demographics and special-education needs, noting the district serves students speaking roughly 60 languages and that special education comprises about 23% of enrollment.

The amendment grew out of earlier budget negotiations. Speakers and written material offered specific line-item requests the district wanted considered: $90,090 for expanded athletics; $1,633,000 to retain 25.5 teaching positions; $481,834 to preserve four district-level positions; $342,000 to maintain transportation service (avoiding a larger walking radius and fare charges for high school riders); and a $3,000,000 hold in reserve/trust funds. Those figures were presented publicly by people speaking on behalf of school supporters and were discussed by aldermen during debate.

Opponents warned of tax-rate effects and pushed for stronger scrutiny of district finances. Several aldermen and residents asked for clearer surplus and trust-fund projections from the school district before making further increases. Board members discussed the city—s broader budget needs (including road repairs and other capital items) and noted the charter tax-cap ceiling of 4.27% when weighing how much to raise local property taxes.

The meeting record shows extended procedural discussion about timing. Alderman Long said passing the amendment now would allow the school district to begin recruitment during spring hiring windows, while other aldermen cautioned that approving additions now constrains the ability of other members to propose alternative city-side adjustments later in the budget process.

The board adopted the amendment in a roll-call vote. The motion language recorded in the transcript sets the appropriation to $237,999,925. Because the city—s final tax rate depends on other revenue and CIP/bonding outcomes, aldermen noted the projected tax-rate impact could change before final adoption at the June meeting.

Mayor J.P. Rouay and multiple aldermen reiterated that final numbers for city revenues and surplus collections for April/May could reduce the net tax-rate increase before the budget is finalized. The transcript includes repeated references that updated revenue information will be available before the June 3 deadline for final action on ordinances and appropriations.

Ending: The amended appropriation passed the Board on May 6, 2025; the board and city finance staff said further revenue updates in April and May will be used to refine the final tax-rate calculation before the budget is finalized at the city's June meeting.