O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
As a public school educator, I am acutely aware of the importance that the classroom experience has on the future of individuals and on our society. Every day, I get to witness the next generation learning, collaborating, and growing, and because of them, I am hopeful for our future.
Jess Spillers also gives me hope for the future. Under her leadership, I see Manchester prospering. Jess knows that learning does not stop in the classroom; it’s where a student’s future begins. As mayor, I know Jess’s number one priority will be ensuring our public schools are fully funded. I am a product of the Manchester School District. I want my children to grow up with the strong sense of pride my family feels in the city. For this to happen, we must first invest in our schools. Fully funded classrooms mean teachers have access to the tools that help them effectively educate their students. This is why adequately funding our schools is a critical issue for Jess.
For years, the state of New Hampshire has underfunded public education, and we face this in Manchester every day. Our staff are constantly asked to do more with less, increasing frustration and burnout. Jess has a plan to address the decreased funding we face as a community. She advocates for planning ahead when we build our budget by honoring the tax cap while also ensuring our schools are adequately funded.
Those same challenges our schools have long faced continue to be exacerbated thanks to the current Jay Ruais’s $9.5 million school district budget cut. The truth is simple: when we fail to fully fund our public schools, we fail the next generation and the entire community. The success of our students depends on the resources available to them. Mayor Ruais’s budget cut sent a clear message to students and parents: he is not ready to support the next generation, nor is he willing to build the foundation for success that parents, educators, and community members need.
Investing in our public schools is a key driving force in charting this city’s path forward. Jess is committed to supporting teachers in every way possible. The lessons, the opportunities, and the support our schools provide determine the kind of community we become and the community members we have.
When students enter the workforce or choose to pursue a higher degree of education, their choices are shaped by the knowledge and experiences gained in the classroom. Manchester students are bright, charismatic, and hard-working. It’s why businesses continue to invest in Manchester – they know that this city has a well-prepared workforce and a reputation for innovation. Community members continue to stay here in Manchester because they know this city has an “opportunity for all attitude.” But a prepared workforce with a city that offers a wealth of opportunity for everyone starts in the classroom. Our schools equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully cultivate a network outside the classroom and ensure students will flourish on whatever path they may choose to take.
Jess has made the social and physical infrastructure of Manchester a key component of her campaign. She understands that education fuels economic growth and innovation. Jess has been successful on the Board of School Committee – an ongoing advocate for students and someone who has championed common-sense solutions like cellphone bans, in-house transportation, and dual language immersion programs.
If you want leadership that puts students first and ensures every child has the resources to succeed, then I hope you’ll join me in voting Jess Spillers for Mayor on November 4th.
Liz O’Neil-Wong is a proud Manchester resident and member of the Board of School Committee, representing Ward 11. She is also a public school educator and advocate for strong public schools in New Hampshire.
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