School Building Project

At a glance

• What: The Priority One school building program: new Beech Street school, additions and renovations at four middle schools (McLaughlin, Hillside, Parkside, Southside), approved at $306 million.
• Where it stands: All projects were reported on budget and on schedule in October. McLaughlin is complete; Hillside's addition is ahead of schedule. A $244,855,000 bond closed October 1.
• Next: Hillside addition turnover mid to late November; Beech Street school opens fall 2028.

Construction progress (Committee on Joint School Buildings, October 13, 2026)

• Lenfest: McLaughlin at 99 percent and punch list; ribbon cutting held. Hillside tracking ahead for a mid to late November turnover of the addition. Parkside and Southside have phased turnovers. Beech Street has earthwork, soil management with DES, and foundations started. Furniture for the other three schools is being phased in with the additions.
• O'Connell: Hillside students move into the addition in December; existing Hillside spaces are rebuilt next summer. Modulars move in this order: Hillside (around February), then Southside after its fall 2027 turnover, then Beech Street after the new school finishes in fall 2028. No plan yet for McLaughlin, McDonough or Gossler modulars. Beech Street opens September 2028; demolition and site restoration (field, basketball court, irrigation, lighting) follow, finishing around late November 2028, by Harvey Construction under the $306 million. Bonilla asked for the site plan; it is a concept at Public Works and Parks.
• Turner said Hillside open house families saw temporary furniture; Superintendent Chmiel explained furniture is staged as spaces open to extend its life. Fajardo asked to be invited to tours; Superintendent Chmiel said invitations went to both boards.
• O'Connell thanked a retiring Consigli principal and called McLaughlin the first of the five projects delivered on budget and on time. The Hillside science tables are being modified within three weeks; the Beech Street site restoration concept (SMMA) is in review at Public Works and Parks and Recreation, with no track planned, and O'Connell said a final plan is needed in 2027. Hillside students go to Jewett in spring 2027.
• The monthly LeftField status and financial report for September was accepted (Turner motion, Hamer second) and sent to both boards.

Financing debate (full Board)

• September 1: Sapienza asked whether the November bond would be $290 million less about $55 million of operating cash spent. A deputy finance director said the bond would pay off the notes; the Mayor promised an exact number. The LeftField report for July was accepted.
• October 6: Wickens said the project was always $306 million; the district spent operating cash first, so only $244,855,000 in bonds was issued (closing October 1) after bond anticipation notes of about $28 million. Sapienza said the public and the Board were told repeatedly the cash would reduce the $290 million bond dollar for dollar, and called moving $8.6 million back to operating accounts "shuffleboard financing." Wickens did not recall saying that. Pelletier said the district will not exceed $306 million. Mayor Ruais noted not having approved the project in 2023 and said the argument is with the 2023 Board. Trisciani said the question was asked and answered.

Public comment

• Gravel (September 1): Southside enrollment fell from 853 to 744 while the school is being expanded for 1,200 at $59.4 million (August 4: $28 million for portable classrooms).
• Rodriguez (October 6): $306 million on facilities and McLaughlin finished at $35.4 million, but math proficiency at 20 percent.

Sources

• Committee on Joint School Buildings minutes, October 13, 2026: https://manchesternh.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5363,plainText=false)
• Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, October 6, 2026: https://manchesternh.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5366,plainText=false)
• Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, September 1, 2026: https://manchesternh.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5309,plainText=false)

Log

2026-10-13 - Committee on Joint School Buildings

Progress and financial report accepted; all projects on budget and on schedule.

2026-10-06 - Board of Mayor and Aldermen

Debate between Sapienza and Wickens over the bond and operating cash.

2026-09-01 - Board of Mayor and Aldermen

Sapienza asked about the bond amount; July report accepted.