Manchester-Essex Regional School District School Committee Meeting | October 6, 2026

The Manchester-Essex Regional School District School Committee met on October 6, 2026. The main procurement-related discussion concerned the Essex elementary school building project. Members reviewed a project estimate of $98.9 million and reported that the School Building Committee had approved a total project budget of $95,351,985 for submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Value-engineering options included building-material and landscaping changes and reducing the gym bumpout and bleachers; some savings were accepted, while proposed changes to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and a roof redesign estimated to save about $195,000 were rejected. A playground-related item was deferred for future consideration. The committee discussed communicating project costs and financing to voters ahead of upcoming town votes; the formal project appropriation vote was expected at a subsequent meeting. No construction contract award or vendor selection was reported.

The committee also approved an out-of-state high school trip to New York for the annual 9/11 visit and considered voucher 1021; the transcript does not clearly capture the voucher vote outcome. Facilities updates noted replacement of 13 steam traps at Essex Elementary and work on exhaust fans and motors, without reported costs or contractors. The district is recruiting a replacement facilities manager and plans to return to a dedicated facilities-manager structure. Curriculum committees are evaluating math materials for piloting, with possible implementation in fall 2027; no purchase or adoption decision was made at this meeting. The committee unanimously approved a first reading of background-check policy updates and approved a newsletter for distribution.