Occupation: Pastor, Coach, Real Estate Investor
Education: Bachelor’s from the University of Notre Dame; currently pursing my MBA from SNHU.
How long have you lived in Manchester? 5 years
Hobbies/Fun Fact about you/other biographical info: My wife, Kaylin, and I have four young kids ages 9, 7, 4, and 2. We are always up for adventures all over New England. Some fun facts about me would be that I love sports and grew up playing soccer, hockey and baseball. I played hockey in the Manchester Flames organization. I also was able to play college soccer at Notre Dame and went on to play professionally in the MLS and the USL. As a coach, I won the NCAA D2 National Championship with SNHU and the 2021 NH State Championship with Trinity High School.
Why should someone vote for you?
Every parent wants their child to succeed. But in Manchester, despite spending over $16,000 per student, our schools rank near the bottom statewide. Only 1-in-3 kids are proficient in math, and fewer than half can read at grade level. I’m Phil Tuttle, running for the Board of School Committee in Ward 1, because our kids deserve better. I’ll fight for real solutions—school choice, stronger academics, safer classrooms, and accountability that puts kids first. Let’s give every child the chance to thrive. Their future depends on it.
How many public high schools should there be in Manchester, where should they be and should any of them be magnet schools?
Manchester currently has three traditional public high schools, but the real question isn’t how many buildings we operate—it’s how well those schools are preparing our kids for success. Right now, with declining enrollment and underwhelming academic performance, we should be asking whether maintaining multiple large, underfilled schools is the best use of taxpayer dollars. A fiscally responsible path would be to right-size the number of high schools to match enrollment trends, ensuring every building is fully utilized, modern, and cost-efficient. This could mean consolidating into fewer campuses strategically located across the city to balance geography, transportation, and neighborhood identity. At the same time, Manchester should seriously consider establishing at least one magnet high school—whether STEM-focused, arts-focused, or career-tech aligned—because magnet programs give families meaningful choices within the public system, foster innovation, and raise standards citywide by creating centers of excellence. The bottom line: we shouldn’t measure success by how many schools we operate, but by whether the schools we keep are delivering excellence, operating efficiently, and offering diverse pathways so every student can thrive.
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?
Every student should have access to vocational training, but that doesn’t mean every high school needs to duplicate expensive programs. Manchester already has a strong resource in the School of Technology. By centralizing vocational training there, we avoid wasteful spending, keep programs high-quality, and ensure students benefit from the best instructors and equipment in one place. However, high schools should still expose students to career readiness basics—financial literacy, trades awareness, and life skills—while those seeking hands-on vocational training can choose MST. That way, we strike the right balance: fiscal responsibility for taxpayers, high-quality opportunities for students, and a system that prepares kids for both college and the workforce without unnecessary duplication.
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)
While I support safe and modern learning spaces, buildings alone won’t fix what’s broken in Manchester schools. We already spend over $16,000 per student—near the top in New Hampshire—yet rank near the bottom in performance. Before taxpayers fund new construction, we need accountability, measurable academic gains, and transparency to ensure money is spent wisely. Facility upgrades should come alongside reforms that give parents real choices and ensure every child gets the education they deserve.
What is your opinion of Education Freedom Accounts?
Every child deserves an education that fits their unique needs—and New Hampshire’s education choice program puts that power in the hands of parents, not bureaucracies. Here’s what that means for Manchester: When a family chooses an Education Freedom Account (EFA), Manchester still keeps the $4,100 per-student state grant, plus additional differentiated aid. The district also retains all local property tax revenue tied to that student. That means public schools continue to receive a significant portion of funding, even when students learn elsewhere. Families receive around $5,200 per student in EFA funds, which can be used for private school tuition, curriculum, special services, or tutoring—whatever best meets their child’s needs. These funds go directly to families or providers, not the district, ensuring resources are used intentionally and transparently. Because the district no longer bears the cost of educating EFA students, per-student spending for those who remain in public schools may actually rise—without cutting into school budgets or increasing taxes. Education choice is not about taking away from public schools—it’s about giving every child a fair shot. It offers families new opportunities, promotes innovation, and ensures that public schools remain funded and supported during this transition. When parents have the freedom to choose, students win—and communities grow stronger.
How can the Manchester School District attract and retain talented staff?
Attracting and retaining talented teachers and staff in Manchester isn’t just about higher pay—it’s about creating a school culture where great educators want to stay. That starts with restoring discipline in classrooms, reducing the bureaucracy that frustrates teachers, and giving them the tools and freedom to do their jobs well. We also need to recognize and reward excellence. The current system treats every teacher the same, regardless of performance. A smarter approach is to provide incentives for high-performing educators, expand opportunities for professional growth, and make sure principals have the flexibility to build strong teams. Finally, teachers want to work where parents are engaged and students are motivated. By raising expectations, empowering families with real choices, and holding leadership accountable for results, Manchester can become a district that top talent chooses—not one they leave.
What are your thoughts on the Manchester School District’s curricula?
The biggest concern with Manchester’s curriculum isn’t how many programs or frameworks we adopt—it’s whether our students are actually learning the basics. Right now, only about a third of Manchester students are proficient in math, and fewer than half are reading at grade level. That tells us the curriculum, as it stands, is not delivering. From my perspective, we need to get back to fundamentals: a strong focus on reading, writing, math, science, and civics. Instead of chasing trendy initiatives or politically driven agendas, the district should adopt proven, content-rich curricula that raise academic standards and prepare kids for both college and careers. We also need to ensure transparency so parents know exactly what their children are being taught, and accountability so the district measures success by student outcomes, not just by time spent in the classroom. In short, Manchester’s curriculum should be clear, rigorous, and focused on excellence—not experimentation—and every decision should be guided by one simple question: Does this improve student achievement?
What are your thoughts on school budget deliberations in 2026?
Heading into the 2026 budget deliberations, we need to remember one simple truth: Manchester already spends over $16,000 per student—among the highest in New Hampshire—yet our district ranks near the bottom in performance. The issue is not how much money we spend, but how wisely we spend it. Any new budget should focus on accountability, transparency, and results. That means prioritizing classroom instruction, literacy and math programs, and teacher support—while cutting back on administrative bloat and unnecessary overhead. Taxpayers deserve a clear line of sight into how every dollar improves student outcomes. We can’t keep asking families and businesses to pay more while test scores remain flat. In 2026, my position will be: fund what works, reform what doesn’t, and ensure every budget decision puts students—not the system—first.
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 voters would like to reach me, you can do so through email at philtuttle1@gmail.com or over the phone at 603-344-0511. Thank you for your support in November!