O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
This November 4th is not just another Election Day — it may very well be the most important local election Manchester has seen in decades. While federal and state races often grab the headlines, it’s our local government that most directly impacts our children’s education, our taxes, and our city’s future. The stakes this year could not be higher.
A School District in Crisis — and in Need of New Leadership
Manchester’s schools are in trouble. We continue to rank near the bottom statewide in academic performance. Families and educators are frustrated by persistent communication failures and a culture that seems to hide information rather than openly address problems.
We’ve seen:
- Cockroach infestations shared by students on social media before the district acknowledged the issue.
- A lack of transparency surrounding curriculum controversies like the Wheel of Power & Privilege.
- Mishandled personnel matters — including the Jason Paige situation — that erode trust.
- Ongoing school bus disruptions for a second straight year, despite promises that problems were solved.
Through it all, there remains a blank-check mentality: either give the district everything it demands with no accountability, or be accused of not caring about kids and education. That approach is not honest, not fair, and not sustainable.
Manchester’s Financial Reality Cannot Be Ignored
Our city is facing a significant budget challenge. Costs are rising in every department. Meanwhile, the school district is proposing $2.5 billion in new construction — which could nearly double once borrowing costs are accounted for — while we still struggle to execute basic daily operations.
In Manchester, higher taxes mean higher rents. Working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and young residents trying to build a life here are already struggling.
Fiscal responsibility means:
Respecting the tax cap
Prioritizing classroom spending over bureaucracy
Ensuring transparency in every dollar spent
A full independent audit of school spending is essential to rebuild trust.
The School Board Needs New Energy and Accountability
Manchester desperately needs a fresh start — leaders with new ideas, professional backgrounds, community experience, and a commitment to academic excellence and operational success.
A new School Committee majority can restore trust and performance.
Voters Must Stop the Power Grab
Some current School Committee members are attempting to expand their influence into the Board of Mayor and Aldermen by running extreme candidates — not to strengthen collaboration, but to remove checks and balances on spending and policy.
Specifically:
- Jessica Spillers
- Jason Bonilla
- Maxine Mosley
These candidates represent a push toward unchecked spending, weakened taxpayer protections, and removing fiscal guardrails that keep Manchester affordable. A single-ideology takeover of our local government would be disastrous for taxpayers and for schools.
Balance — not extremism — is what best serves Manchester.
Candidates Who Will Put Manchester First
FOR MAYOR
- Jay Ruais
FOR BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
- Ward 1 — Philip Tuttle
- Ward 2 — Melodye Smith
- Ward 3 — Cali Rojas
- Ward 4 — Jason Hodgdon
- Ward 5 — Mark Millet
- Ward 6 — Chastice Cocchiarella
- Ward 8 — Malinda Bourque McCusker
- Ward 9 — Jose Marte
- Ward 12 — Carlos Gonzalez
- At-Large — Kathleen Kelly Arnold
- At-Large — Elizabeth Ann Moreau
FOR BOARD OF MAYOR & ALDERMEN
- Ward 2 — Ben Prescott
- Ward 4 — Paul LaFerriere
- Ward 5 — Kathleen Paquette
- Ward 6 — Crissy Kantor
- Ward 7 — Ross Terrio
- Ward 8 — Edward Sapienza
- Ward 9 — Troy Micklon
- Ward 10 — Robert Rivera
- Ward 11 — Norm Vincent
- Ward 12 — Kelly Thomas
- At-Large — Will Infantine
- At-Large — Joe Kelly Levasseur
This Is It — Manchester’s Turning Point
Our city cannot afford more dysfunction, declining performance, and skyrocketing spending. We need leaders who believe in:
Strong schools
Responsible budgets
Supporting families
Protecting Manchester’s future
On November 4th, vote for the candidates who will put students, taxpayers, and our community first.
This is the most important local election Manchester has faced in decades.
Together, let’s choose a brighter, more affordable, more accountable future for Manchester.
Vote November 4th. Bring a friend. Make your voice heard.
Mark Millet is a candidate for Ward 5 School Committee.