Frequently asked questions
In today’s modern world, 21st-century quality learning in aging buildings is not sustainable. Priority One projects represent the first phase of Manchester School District’s long-range facilities planning work and include significant renovations and upgrades to aging middle schools and the construction of a new elementary school. The following FAQs will help provide additional information about each of the projects and background on why these projects are a high priority for the school district.
What is Priority One?
What exactly does Priority One mean?
Priority One is the first stage of approved projects that are underway or have been completed across several District schools. Priority One projects are a part of a larger initiative of the District’s long-term facilities planning work.
What projects across the school district have been approved?
On December 2, 2023, the Board of the Mayor and Alderman gave final approval on the Priority One projects of the district’s long-term facilities plan. Priority One projects include the closure of Henry Wilson Elementary School, construction of a new elementary school near the current Beech Street School, shifting Hillside and McLaughlin Middle Schools to the Grade 5-8 model, and additions and renovations at all four middle schools to properly accommodate fifth grade students and the team middle school model. Additionally, the construction of modular classrooms at all four middle schools, Beech Street School and McDonough Elementary School was approved in order to accommodate students during construction and the closure of Henry Wilson Elementary School. Subsequently, on January 21, 2025, the Board of the Mayor and Alderman approved the Sheridan-Emmett Park/transfer of land associated with the Beech Street Elementary School Project.
Why is this work being done now?
The average age of Manchester’s schools is about 75 years. In recent years, it has become apparent to educators, students, families, and other community members that many aspects of Manchester’s schools are not conducive to 21st-century learning. Extensive research, investigation, and analysis of the District schools conducted by SMMA and the District over the past three years proved that many of the schools no longer meet the basic standards to effectively educate students in the 21st century.
The impact of Priority One
What are the benefits of building new facilities versus renovating the current ones?
Many of the District’s schools have had renovation work and additions over the years. While renovations and additions can often help to alleviate learning environment concerns, buildings have lifecycles. Henry Wilson Elementary School is over 125 years old and has received additions and renovations twice in the building’s lifetime. Given its age and condition, replacing this school with a new facility will reap greater benefits for the city of Manchester. As the rest of the city evolves and changes with advances in technology, infrastructure, and education, the city’s schools must evolve and change as well.
How will this work improve learning for Manchester’s students?
In today’s modern world, 21st-century quality learning in aging buildings is not sustainable. Priority One projects will allow all students to learn in modern, safe, and comfortable environments that suit their needs and are able to evolve as technology and education advance, nationally and globally. The average age of public school buildings in the United States is 42 years (source: National Center for Education Statistics), meaning Manchester schools are nearly double the age of the average American student’s learning environment. Work completed in Priority One will allow Manchester students to learn in an environment that is on par with other schools around the state and country.
Funding and costs
What is the overall cost, and how is the approved work for Priority One projects being paid for?
Total cost of the Priority One Projects is $306 million. Bond authorization is for $290 million. In fiscal year 2024, the District received an increase in State Adequacy Aid of $35 million. Of this amount, $17.7 million has been allocated to cover the future debt service. The $290 million bond will not result in an increase in property taxes. The remaining project balance is being paid from the additional State Adequacy Aid in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 since the bond has not been issued and no debt service is due in fiscal years 2024 or 2025.
What is the total project cost for each project within the $306 million Priority One project budget?
- Modular classrooms $25.5 million
- Hillside $57.7 million
- Parkside $46.5 million
- McLaughlin $35.4 million
- Southside $59.4 million
- Beech $81.5 million
Priority One timeline
What is the timeline associated with this work?
Work on the Priority One projects began in early 2024 and is expected to continue through 2028. The individual school projects associated with the overall Priority One project are subject to change due to ongoing coordination around phasing the work with multiple construction managers. Modular classrooms were completed for the start of the 2024-25 school year. The construction of the new Beech Elementary School and additions/ renovations of all four middle schools are scheduled to be completed by 2028. Specific school schedule information can be found in the applicable school project section of this website.
