MANCHESTER, N.H. – On Tuesday, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen will hold a vote to confirm Stan Garrity as Ward 9’s member on the Manchester Board of School Committee.
Garrity is the current chair of the Manchester Heritage Commission, the volunteer board whose purpose according to the city is, “to insure the proper recognition, use and protection of Manchester’s resources, primarily man-made, that are valuable for their historic, cultural, aesthetic, or community significance within their natural, built, or cultural context” and “reviewing qualifying outdoor building permit applications in the City’s historic districts for their impact on the historic districts.”
So it makes sense that Garrity’s view of Manchester’s schools takes a scope throughout the city’s history, particularly one 1873 quote from the Manchester Daily Mirror and American describing the importance of the city’s high school graduates:
“When our students leave the Manchester School System they stand as examples of our educated youth and with them stands or falls the reputation of our schools. Their diplomas are certificates that they have met the requirements of our system. Whatever is prescribed, by law, by committees and by teachers they have performed and by them we judge our system, our committees and our teachers.”
In addition to his role with the Heritage Commission, Garrity worked in the Manchester Fire Department for 28 years, retiring at the rank of captain. In the community, Garrity was a member of the YMCA Board of Advisors, playing a role in the “Taking Time for Teens” program and also served as a coach for the Souhegan High School golf team.
Since nomination for the position by Ward 9 Alderman Jim Burkush, Garrity has been doing what he can to familiarize himself with the issues and information currently before the Board of School Committee so he can hit the ground running.
If confirmed, Garrity would take over the seat of Bob Baines, who recently passed away. Baines, who served as the city’s mayor and was active in local politics for over 50 years in addition to years as an educator and administrator in Manchester’s schools, leaves behind a legacy that cannot be duplicated, Garrity said.
“They’re big shoes to fill and I can never fully replace them,” says Garrity. “ All I can do is the best I can.”