The New Hampshire School Boards Association has selected the Manchester Board of School Committee as its 2021 School Board of the Year.
The announcement comes in the midst of a challenging year for schools, as districts have been forced to constantly shift approaches in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to its response to the pandemic, the board has maintained its focus on implementing a long-term strategic plan. The board accepted that community-developed plan at the end of February 2020, just as the impact of COVID-19 was beginning to be felt around the world.
Manchester Proud has helped to build the district’s strategic plan and has continued to work closely with the district and the board. Manchester is so fortunate and proud to have a school board that is truly student-centered, embraces change, and welcomes the essential role of the community in the making of great schools.
This award is an indicator of change in our community and progress for the Manchester School District.
As a member of our community with longstanding commitment to our schools, Will Kanteres, Broker, Kanteres Real Estate, shared the following response to the news.
“This acknowledgment of the good work being done by our BOSC will help keep Manchester on the Realtor.com “top 10 hottest markets” list well beyond the current housing market frenzy. We are seeing a record number of families from out of state buy homes in Manchester and the number one question we get from them is, “How are the schools?” I’ve always said that the 3 most important things in real estate are education, education and education. Good school boards make good schools and good schools bring increased real estate values, better employment opportunities and families who want to live in a community that cares about their kids. This award proves that Manchester cares.”
As a student, with pride in her school, Lydia Mann (freshman at Manchester Central High School) shared the following reaction.
“Learning and engaging with the school board is new to me as I begin the four-year journey of high school. Being involved in Manchester Proud has really been an eye-opening experience to see what the BOSC actually does. I was so excited to hear that the BOSC won the school board of the year, and I definitely think they deserve it! From my eyes as an engaged student in the district, they have really put so much time and effort into making this year as good as it could get for students during this pandemic- especially with the majority of the school board members just getting started right before COVID hit. Being a student leader of Manchester Proud, I have witnessed the BOSC really trying to engage and get as much feedback as possible from the students; including me.”
The School Board of the Year award will be presented to the Manchester Board of School Committee at the annual Excellence in Education Awards (EDies) ceremony in June in Manchester. You can read more about the EDies at www.edies.org.
Congratulations to the Manchester BOSC! Well deserved recognition for all of your hard work.