Occupation
Director of Household Operations (I am a stay-at-home mom but maintain my NH teaching license)
Education/background
Bachelor’s Degree in Geology (Allegheny College) and Master’s Degree in Education (Edinboro University)
How long have you lived in Manchester
I have proudly lived here for 23 years!
Hobbies/any other personal info you’d like to share
Our family of 5 spends a lot of time outdoors on camping trips, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, playing games, and traveling when we get the chance. We also have a rabbit and a hamster as part of our family. I grew up in western Pennsylvania so despite my 23 years in NH I can still be found waving my Terrible Towel around and cheering for the Steelers. I am a baseball convert, however, and love to cheer on the Red Sox and Fisher Cats.
Why should someone vote for you?
With 4 1/2 years of experience as the current Ward 1 BoSC member, a teaching degree and students in the district, I am qualified to weigh in on important decisions like policy, facilities, curricula, budgets, and staffing. My role as a former educator in the public schools gives me insight on the real struggles our staff are facing in the classrooms. My regular participation in PTO groups allows me to hear firsthand about the successes and concerns in the buildings. My experience of raising 3 children in the Manchester School District has aided me in knowing 100’s of families with students in the district with firsthand knowledge from my own kids as to what is and is not working in our schools. I bring a thoughtful voice and listening ears to the board. Any constituent who reaches out, whether in my Ward or not, will receive my attention, time, and assistance, always.
How many public high schools should there be in Manchester, where should they be and should any of them be magnet schools?
Two high schools are ideal, similar to how Nashua operates, with a north and south campus. I do not have the magic answer of where they should be but I think that magnet schools are a step in the right direction, especially if we can successfully fund one specific to performing arts. It is important that CTE (Career and Technical Education programs, like MST) programs are embedded into all campuses.
Should all public high schools in Manchester offer some sort of vocational training or should vocational classes by centralized at the current Manchester School of Technology campus?
As stated previously, the trades, as they are called (CTE courses) need to be braided into the curricula at all high school campuses, not just at MST.
What is your opinion on the first phase of the Manchester School District’s facilities plan? (finishing fifth grade expansions at the middle schools/new Beech Street Elementary)
It’s no secret that before I was seated on the board in 2021, I was not a fan of 5th grade moving into the middle schools. That ship has sailed and I must say, I am pleased with the outcome thus far. I have a 7th grader at Hillside and have frequented the building to see the modulars in action (which are quite lovely, clean, air conditioned, well lit) and any preconceived worries have been put to rest. I will continue to advocate for our middle schools, which sit above 1000 enrolled students, to have a full staffing compliment to support the larger student body. MSD facilities are grossly outdated, and I am thrilled to see forward progress in updating our buildings for the 21st century.
What is your opinion of Education Freedom Accounts?
Education Freedom Accounts take away funding from our public schools and are ultimately concentrating some of the neediest students into the public schools. Make no mistake, “school choice” is the school’s choice. The private schools choose who they enroll. They hand select their student body and are under no obligation to say yes to students with special needs, English language learners, or students who cannot afford full tuition. I do not support Education Freedom Accounts.
If a student with special needs on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) desires to go to a private school they may not be accepted because a private school is not obligated by law (like the public schools are) to educate that population. If a student with special needs is admitted the family is asked to sign away their rights for special education services. The same is true for a student with a 504. The same is true for English Language Learners; a private school is under no obligation to provide services to support that student’s education. Lastly, if a lower socioeconomic student wishes to attend a private school, a voucher of $5,000 will likely not make much difference at a school like the Derryfield School where tuition costs are $45,000 a year. With no income cap on the Education Freedom Accounts, the state has essentially just offered coupons to the wealthy to offset the cost of tuition at their private school of choice. Furthermore, with EFA oversight offered by a third party, there were entries of vouchers being spent on ski lift tickets, gymnastics classes, summer camp tuition, private music lessons, and unitemized Amazon purchases.
I do not disagree that one size fits all for education. I am not fundamentally against someone choosing the right fit for their family, whether that be a private, charter or homeschool option. I am against Education Freedom Accounts using taxpayer money that diverts funding away from the public schools without a reasonable income cap and proper oversight and accountability.
How can the Manchester School District attract and retain talented staff?
Manchester School District has made great strides in the past 4 years or so to increase teacher pay to be more competitive. By updating facilities and keeping them clean, by continuing our cycle of updating curricula, by offering relevant, meaningful professional development, and by securing a solid teacher contract next year we can continue our trajectory of attracting and retaining the BEST TEACHERS (I’m biased, but they are).
What are your thoughts on the Manchester School District’s curricula?
The MSD curricula is finally in a great place. I’d say 6 or 7 years ago we were in a very different place where we had no vertical or horizontal alignment. For example, math in 4th grade Smyth Road School could different then math in 4th grade Webster School. So, if a student moved mid-year there could be gaps in their learning. Now we have curriculum that is district-wide and uniform, up to date and consistent. There is also a curriculum cycle which forces to the district to look at each and every subject taught on a 6-year calendar cycle to ensure it is updated and relevant. I’m very happy with the curricula.
What are your thoughts on school budget deliberations in 2026?
The district struggled to get its desired budget across the finish line for this fiscal year. We are pulling over $10,000,000 out of rainy-day funds to cover the district’s costs for this year and that is not sustainable. I am very worried about future budgets, but I am hopeful that with this next election cycle we can work with a BMA who is in tune to the true needs of the district and help fund a budget that supports our schools. We cannot keep touting that we are one of the best mid-sized cities to live in and brag about our cost of living, arts and culture, job opportunities and industry but fail to invest in our public schools. Strong public schools make strong communities, and we need to do better to fully fund the requested school budgets, which are tax cap compliant, so that we can recruit and retain the best teachers, continue to update our curricula and facilities, support special education and transportation, and offer our students all that they deserve.
Anything else you’d like to add not mentioned here and what is the best way voters can reach you if they have more questions?
If you’ve ever tried to connect with me, you know that I will always return phone calls or emails. Please email my school board email at jturner@mansd.org or call me at 603-703-4068. If I cannot directly help you with your concern, I will always connect you with someone who can. It is my mission to work hard every day to serve this community and its schools. I’d truly appreciate your vote for Ward 1 school board on November 4th.