Posts by Andrew Sylvia
At their Feb. 3, 2026 meeting, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a memorandum of understanding with the Manchester School District that would approve an independent audit of the Manchester School District, a key part of the mayor’s STARS (streamlining, taxpayer accountability and reform system) initiative.
Leaders of Manchester’s Department of Public Works provided a presentation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during their Feb. 3, 2026 meeting that had a stark message: continuing current road repaving funding levels will lead to average road in the city becoming “poor” in the near future.
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais announced the initiation of the City of Manchester Commission on Child Care, a new initiative designed at expanding access to affordable, licensed childcare and strengthening early childhood supports across the city.
On Friday, Feb. 6, the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire (WACNH) is holding a discussion with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) examining evolving dynamics in U.S.–Danish relations, the strategic importance of Greenland, and implications for NATO and trans-Atlantic cooperation. This community conversation will provide essential insight and context on current foreign policy debates affecting global stability.
In a special meeting of the Manchester Board of School Committee held on Jan. 28, 2026, Manchester School District Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Nicole Doherty led a group of district administrators in a presentation tying together the state’s new minimum education standards with several proposed changes for Manchester’s public high schools.
A collection of artwork aiming to shed light on the voices of Granite Staters and give viewers new perspectives on recent events is now open at the Mosaic Art Collective gallery.
Manchester’s growing special education population and the rising cost of serving students with complex needs took center stage at the January 27, 2026 Manchester Board of School Committee meeting as administrators warned of continued financial pressure heading into the 2026 – ‘27 school year.
Following fires earlier this month on Prospect Street, Amherst Street, Grove Street and elsewhere in the city, the Manchester Fire Department held a presentation and discussion on fire preparedness, prevention and safety last week at the Manchester Community Resource Center.
A bill sponsored by nine Manchester-based legislators seeking to enhance enforcement of criminal restitution obligations received a public hearing before the New Hampshire House of Representatives Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety on Jan. 22, 2026.
In December, the Manchester Board of School Committee asked leadership of the Manchester School District to provide a solution to growing student meal debt. Unfortunately, the solution brought forward satisfied no one, including the leaders who submitted it.
Just over 30 percent of Manchester School District students missed at least 10 percent of the 2024-’25 School Year, leading district leaders to discuss strategies moving forward with the Manchester Board of School Committee Student Conduct Committee on lowering absentee rates.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2026, The Manchester Board of School Committee’s Education Legislation Committee discussed Senate Bill 101, a piece of legislation currently before the New Hampshire State Legislature that would allow parents to enroll their children in any school district in the state.
The Manchester Zoning Board of Adjustment approved four requested variances from a proposed multi-family dwelling across from Crystal Lake during their January 2025 meeting, although residents living near the property voiced concerns prior to the approval.
On Wednesday night, Manchester School District Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel sent a message to staff regarding reports of heightened U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the city earlier in the day as well as potentially on Thursday.
Friends, activists and others looking to honor the teachings and birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. gathered at Manchester Memorial High School on Monday for the 44th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Celebration.
In addition to the music, discussion panels and honors to be awarded at the New Hampshire Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Community Celebration being held once again on the birthday of the civil rights leader, this year’s community celebration will also hold a day of service mirroring the values King held during his life.
On Inauguration Day, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais provided an outline on how he hopes to increase financial transparency and efficiency in the upcoming term. This week, he provided more details on how he hopes to work with the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen to make that happen.
The Manchester School District and the City of Manchester Department of Public Works Parks and Recreation Division are expecting to test a new partnership that help both groups as well as students and other community members gain access to new recreational programs.
For only the third time in 30 years, there will be no Manchester’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
As the budget season for Fiscal Year 2026 begins to come into focus, a memorandum of understanding between the Manchester School District and the City of Manchester for an independent efficiency audit was recommended by the Manchester Board of School Committee’s Finance Committee on Wednesday night, part of a larger initiative by Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais to proactively find budgetary efficiencies in local government budgets.