MANCHESTER, N.H.- Officials from the Manchester School District presented three possible budget scenarios to City Alderman Wednesday evening.
Faced with a potential $16 million budget deficit Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Chmiel offered three options, all of which feature distinct repercussions, ranging from layoffs to increased class sizes and changes to district bus operations.
The first proposed tax cap compliant budget totaling $235.5 million, comes with what’s described as severe cuts including noticeable reduction to teachers and staff, with anywhere from 40 to more than 100 positions eliminated.
The second being a baseline budget worth $251.4 million, which exceeds the tax-cap, which Mayor Jay Ruais says he cannot support.
And the third option being a fully funded budget totaling $265 million which not only exceeds the tax cap but would also allow for investments in staff and operations.
Out of Wednesday’s meeting Mayor Jay Ruais says he’ll take all three options into consider and release his choice Thursday evening when he presents his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027
