Manchester School District reports midyear gains in college-and-career readiness, graduation and facilities planning

Superintendent Camille presented the Manchester School Districts midyear status report at the Jan. 27, 2025 School Committee meeting, saying several district indicators are moving in the right direction though the report represents a midyear snapshot, not final results.

The update highlighted college-and-career readiness (CCR) rising to 65 for 2024 (up from earlier years and from 51 in 2023), an increase in the district four-year graduation rate to 74.35% from 72.9% in 2023, and a 2% overall boost in average daily attendance as of December. "This is definitely moving in the right direction for our district," Superintendent Camille said of the CCR number.

Why it matters: The midyear review ties to the districts strategic plan (adopted by the Board of School Committee in February 2020) and guides curriculum, staffing and facility decisions. During the presentation district leaders linked gains to expanded career and technical pathways, new industry-recognized credential offerings and stronger systems to support attendance, behavior and instruction.

Key details and initiatives

- College and career readiness: Superintendent Camille said CCR rose to 65 in 2024. The strategic plan originally set a target of 76 by early 2023; the district noted the pandemic interrupted the timeline but reported sustained gains since 2019.

- Graduation: District staff reported an increase from 72.9% in 2023 to 74.35% in 2024. School leaders said they track on-time (four-year) and five-year rates and use ongoing monitoring to identify students who need supports.

- Dual-language and world languages: The district launched a Spanish dual-language immersion program in September 2024 and described it as the first such program in the state. A French pathway is planned for the next school year.

- Industry-recognized credentials (IRCs): The district said IRC offerings (for example, CPR, ServSafe and other certifications) continue to expand and help students build job-ready skills.

- Attendance and behavior: Assistant Superintendent Ransdell reported a 2% increase in attendance districtwide through December. The district said office-manager referrals decreased 39% at the elementary level, 11% at middle schools and 4% at high schools compared with the prior year, work tied to MTSSB implementation.

- Student supports and special education: Student services and wellness staff described professional development for special-education staff, implementation of new digital IEP access in Aspen and the rollout of an updated preschool state assessment (DRDP).

- Facilities and long-term planning: The district said Priority 1 of long-term facility planning is complete and moving to action. Wilson School closed in spring 2024; renovations and additions at middle schools Hillside and McLaughlin are slated to start first, followed by Southside and Parkside. A new Beech Street Elementary School project is moving forward.

- Grants and finance: The district report noted substantial federal grant revenue, which the presentation described as "well exceeding $19,000,000" when last reported. Executive Director of Finance Karen DeFrancis and Superintendent Camille said the district is continuing monthly budget monitoring and looking for grant opportunities.

- Technology and safety systems: Director of Technology Steven Cross reported network-security upgrades, deployment of abnormal email security in July 2024 and the AGIX beacon emergency notification software on about 1,800 workstations. He said the E-rate funding cycle for 2025 is projected at roughly $2.3to$2.5 million (presentation language).

- Equity work: The district described an equity steering committee of roughly 35 members, an ongoing equity ecosystem review with Great Schools Partnership, and newly formed school-based equity teams. The district also introduced Amadou Hamadi as executive director of equity, inclusion and justice.

Quotes

"This is definitely moving in the right direction for this indicator," Superintendent Camille said of CCR.

"These systems are 60, pushing 70 years old, and that is why the technology just simply isn't compatible," Assistant Superintendent Ransdell said while discussing older intercom systems in district buildings (discussion at the same meeting about an intercom pilot).

Context and next steps

District leaders repeatedly emphasized that the report is a midyear update and that many goals remain in progress. Presenters said more detailed committee-level reports will continue (transportation at the finance-and-facilities committee, curriculum at teaching-and-learning, attendance and conduct at the conduct committee). The district also said it will provide the community additional presentations, and it plans to share a detailed budget and a tax-cap-compliant projection with the board ahead of the Feb. 20 budget meeting.

Ending

Board members and the superintendent agreed the district has made measurable gains but stressed the work must continue across staffing, curriculum and facilities to sustain improvement.