MANCHESTER, NH – The six-member Joint School Buildings Committee met for the first time in four years Tuesday night following concerns from the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) over the Manchester School District’s ongoing facilities planning process.
While Manchester Board of School Committee (BOSC) Vice Chair Jim O’Connell said at last week’s Board of School Committee Meeting that part of the meeting’s purpose would be to provide any answers for lingering questions that the Aldermen may have regarding the facilities plan, O’Connell stated that the best path moving forward would be to have a joint meeting of the BOSC and BMA with representatives from SMMA, the architectural firm hired by the BOSC to provide oversight for the plan.
O’Connell was nominated to chair the committee by Ward 1 BOSC Member Julie Turner, which was seconded by Ward 3 BOSC Member Karen Soule. Ward 7 Alderman Ross Terrio had sought to nominate Soule as chair due to her experience as a school superintendent in Somersworth, but decided against going forward with the nomination after believing the effort would be unsuccessful.
Terrio asked O’Connell about his qualifications to lead the committee, with O’Connell citing his experience vice chairing the BOSC and his pledge to work toward fostering cooperation among the board members.
Soule shared her belief that the committee should make sure it stays on track, acts respectfully and serves as a voice for concerns from members of the public rather than a vehicle for micromanaging SMMA’s efforts.
In addition to Terrio, Soule, O’Connell and Turner, the committee also includes Ward 1 Alderman Chris Morgan and At-Large Alderman Dan O’Neil. All members of the committee voted for O’Connell except for Terrio, who abstained from the vote.
Under New Hampshire state law, the committee is responsible for construction and alteration of school buildings in Manchester.
The next meeting was set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12. The next full BOSC meeting is set for that day at 6:30 p.m.