Manchester School District elections (2015)

2017 → ← 2013
2015 Manchester School District Elections
Primary Election date:
September 15, 2015
General Election date:
November 3, 2015
Table of Contents
About the district Method of election Elections What was at stake? Key deadlines Additional elections External links
See also
New Hampshire Manchester School District Hillsborough County, New Hampshire ballot measures Local ballot measures, New Hampshire

Fourteen seats on the Manchester School District Board of School Committee were up for general election on November 3, 2015.

Incumbent Nancy Tessier and challenger Richard Girard won the two at-large seats in the general election, ousting incumbent Kathy Staub. Newcomer Mary Ngwanda Georges won the Ward 3 seat after defeating incumbent Theodore Groh in the primary election. Leslie Want won an open seat in Ward 4, and Lisa M. Freeman won her second bid for the Ward 5 seat after an unsuccessful 2013 campaign.

Incumbents Sarah S. Ambrogi, Debra G. Langton, Dan Bergeron, Ross Terrio, Erika Connors and Constance Van Houten survived contested elections to retain their seats in Wards 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 12, respectively. Ward 9 member Arthur J. Beaudry, Ward 10 member John B. Avard and Ward 11 member Katie Desrochers all ran unopposed and won re-election. Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, who served as the chair of the Manchester Board of School Committee during the previous board term, also won re-election.

Several rematches from the 2013 election took place, including Ward 2 member Debra G. Langton and challenger Sarah L. Browning, Ward 6 member Dan Bergeron and challenger Bill Hughen, and Ward 12 member Constance Van Houten and challenger Christine Duffley. The Ward 12 race also featured former board member Roger Beauchamp. Neither Ward 4 member Amy L. Bradley nor Ward 5 member Ted Rokas filed for re-election.

About the district

See also: Manchester School District, New Hampshire

Manchester School District is located in Hillsborough County, N.H.

The Manchester School District is located in south-central New Hampshire in Hillsborough County. The county seats are Manchester and Nashua. This county was home to 400,721 residents in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau. In the 2012-2013 school year, the Manchester School District was the largest school district in New Hampshire and served 14,452 students.

Demographics

Hillsborough County overperformed compared to the rest of New Hampshire in terms of higher education achievement in 2013. The United States Census Bureau found that 35.0 percent of county residents aged 25 years and older had attained a bachelor's degree, compared to 33.7 percent for New Hampshire as a whole. The median household income for Hillsborough County was $69,829, compared to $64,916 for the state of New Hampshire. The percentage of people below poverty level was 8.6 percent, while it was 8.7 percent for the state of New Hampshire.

Racial Demographics, 2013
Race	Hillsborough County (%)	New Hampshire (%)
White	91.6	94.2
African American	2.6	1.5
American Indian and Alaska Native	0.3	0.3
Asian	3.6	2.4
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	0.1	0.0
Two or More Races	1.8	1.6
Hispanic or Latino	5.8	3.2

Hillsborough County Party Affiliation, June 2015
Party	Registered Voters	% of Total
Democratic	64,640	26.41
Republican	76,376	31.20
Undeclared	103,767	42.39

Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Voter and candidate information

The Manchester Board of School Committee consists of 15 members, 14 of whom are elected to two-year terms. Twelve of those members are elected by district, while the other two members are elected at large. The final member and chair of the board is the city's mayor, who was also up for election in 2015. The primary election was held on September 15, 2015, and the general election was held on November 3, 2015. Fourteen seats were up for election in 2015.

School board candidates had to file nomination documents during the candidate filing period, which began on July 13, 2015, and ended on July 24, 2015. To vote in the 2015 general election, residents had to register by October 24, 2015.

At-large (two seats)

Kathy Staub		Nancy Tessier
	Incumbent B.A., the University of New Hampshire M.A., Boston College Founder, the Manchester Coalition for Quality Education Founder, the Manchester Foundation for Education		Incumbent B.A., New England College Master's degree, Rivier College Retired educator, the Manchester School District Former board member, the North Country Supervisory Union in Vermont
Richard Girard		Joseph Lachance
	A.B., Boston College Radio and television host, Girard At Large Employee, Primerica Financial Services Former alderman at-large, Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen (1998-2000)		B.S., Hesser College M.S., Southern New Hampshire University M.Ed., Southern New Hampshire University Veteran, U.S. Army (1989-1992) State representative, District Hillsborough 8 (R) Moderator, Manchester Ward 1

Ward 1

General election candidates

Sarah S. Ambrogi		Kevin McCue
	Incumbent B.A., Yale University J.D., the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law Attorney and owner, the Ambrogi Law Office		Retired, trucking and transportation Paraprofessional and athletic director, the Auburn Village School Member, the Manchester Planning Board

Candidates defeated in primary

Timothy Sawyer
	Industrial controls technician

Ward 2

Debra G. Langton		Sarah L. Browning
	Incumbent Educator		B.A., New England College J.D., the Franklin Pierce Law Center Education consultant

Ward 3

General election candidates

Bernard Gamache		Mary Ngwanda Georges
	Owner, Gamache Properties Former member, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce		Minister Founder, Victory Women of Vision

Candidates defeated in primary

Theodore Groh
	Incumbent B.A., Saint Anselm College Assistant director of enrollment and marketing, High Mowing School Democratic Party political activist

Ward 4

General election candidates

Mark Flanders		Leslie Want
	Claims manager		Manchester School District volunteer Former educator

Candidates defeated in primary

Tim DiVenuti
	Veteran, United States Air Force Retired

Ward 5

Jeremy Dobson		Lisa M. Freeman
	B.A., Ithaca College Former state representative (2012-2014), District Hillsborough 43 (D)

Ward 6

General election candidates

Dan Bergeron		Larraine Lencki
	Incumbent B.S., Daniel Webster College M.S., Daniel Webster College Software services specialist Adjunct professor, Daniel Webster College's School of Business and Management		Loan officer

Candidates defeated in primary

Bill Hughen
	B.S., Plymouth State University M.Ed., Notre Dame College C.A.G.S., the University of New Hampshire District director of guidance, Alvirne High School

Ward 7

General election candidates

Ross Terrio		Wendy Garrity
	Incumbent Associate degree, Massoit Community College B.S., the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy J.D., the University of New Hampshire School of Law Pharmacist, the Catholic Medical Center Former state representative (2010-2012), District Hillsborough 14 (R)		Moderator, Manchester Ward 7

Candidates defeated in primary

Maria Brown

Ward 8

Erika Connors		Jimmy Lehoux
	Incumbent Bachelor's degree, Penn State University Co-owner, Melody Pines Day Camp

Ward 9

Arthur J. Beaudry
	Incumbent Associate degree, the New Hampshire Community Technical College Bachelor's degree, Northeastern University Retired firefighter President, the New Hampshire State Permanent Fire Fighters Retirement Association

Ward 10

John B. Avard
	Incumbent Associate degree, Notre Dame College Bachelor's degree, the Parker College of Chiropractic Doctorate, the Parker College of Chiropractic Chiropractor

Ward 11

Katie Desrochers
	Incumbent

Ward 12

General election candidates

Constance Van Houten		Christine Duffley
	Incumbent Retired educator Professor, Manchester Community College		Bachelor's degree, the University of New Hampshire Business owner and landlord

Candidates defeated in primary

Roger Beauchamp
	B.S. degree, Granite State College Owner, ChillDog Pet Sitting Services Former member (2009-2013), Manchester Board of School Committee Former state representative (2008-2010), District Hillsborough 17 (D)

Election results

General election

Manchester School District, At-Large, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Nancy Tessier Incumbent	33.6%	9,583
Richard Girard	25.8%	7,362
Kathy Staub Incumbent	23.5%	6,714
Joseph Lachance	16.8%	4,794
Write-in votes	0.22%	63
Total Votes		28,516
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Election Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 1, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Sarah S. Ambrogi Incumbent	62.5%	1,661
Kevin McCue	37.2%	990
Write-in votes	0.26%	7
Total Votes		2,658
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 2, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Debra G. Langton Incumbent	57.9%	1,018
Sarah L. Browning	41.9%	737
Write-in votes	0.23%	4
Total Votes		1,759
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 3, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Mary Ngwanda Georges	51.0%	396
Bernard Gamache	48.8%	379
Write-in votes	0.13%	1
Total Votes		776
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 4, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Leslie Want	52.8%	571
Mark Flanders	46.9%	507
Write-in votes	0.28%	3
Total Votes		1,081
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 5, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Lisa M. Freeman	67.6%	486
Jeremy Dobson	32.1%	231
Write-in votes	0.28%	2
Total Votes		719
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 6, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Dan Bergeron Incumbent	52.4%	1,073
Larraine Lencki	47.3%	967
Write-in votes	0.29%	6
Total Votes		2,046
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 7, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Ross Terrio Incumbent	52.0%	703
Wendy Garrity	47.7%	645
Write-in votes	0.3%	4
Total Votes		1,352
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 8, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Erika Connors Incumbent	51.7%	1,028
Jimmy Lehoux	48.1%	956
Write-in votes	0.15%	3
Total Votes		1,987
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 9, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Arthur J. Beaudry Incumbent	98.4%	1,333
Write-in votes	1.62%	22
Total Votes		1,355
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 10, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
John B. Avard Incumbent	98.2%	1,234
Write-in votes	1.83%	23
Total Votes		1,257
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 11, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Katie Desrochers Incumbent	98.4%	726
Write-in votes	1.63%	12
Total Votes		738
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Manchester School District, Ward 12, General Election, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Constance Van Houten Incumbent	54.9%	664
Christine Duffley	44.7%	541
Write-in votes	0.33%	4
Total Votes		1,209
Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Primary election

Information about the primary election can be found by clicking [show] at the right.

Manchester School District, Ward 1, Primary Election, 2015 Candidate Vote % Votes Sarah S. Ambrogi Incumbent 55.7% 1,177 Kevin McCue 20.2% 427 Timothy Sawyer 10.5% 222 Write-in votes 13.58% 287 Total Votes 2,113 Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015 Manchester School District, Ward 3, Primary Election, 2015 Candidate Vote % Votes Bernard Gamache 34.8% 183 Mary Ngwanda Georges 33.1% 174 Theodore Groh Incumbent 31.7% 167 Write-in votes 0.38% 2 Total Votes 526 Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015 Manchester School District, Ward 4, Primary Election, 2015 Candidate Vote % Votes Leslie Want 49.1% 328 Mark Flanders 36.2% 242 Tim DiVenuti 13.8% 92 Write-in votes 0.9% 6 Total Votes 668 Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015 Manchester School District, Ward 6, Primary Election, 2015 Candidate Vote % Votes Dan Bergeron Incumbent 42.7% 545 Larraine Lencki 39.7% 507 Bill Hughen 17.5% 223 Write-in votes 0.08% 1 Total Votes 1,276 Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015 Manchester School District, Ward 7, Primary Election, 2015 Candidate Vote % Votes Ross Terrio Incumbent 44.7% 368 Wendy Garrity 35.6% 293 Maria Brown 19.3% 159 Write-in votes 0.49% 4 Total Votes 824 Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015 Manchester School District, Ward 12, Primary Election, 2015 Candidate Vote % Votes Constance Van Houten Incumbent 40.5% 318 Christine Duffley 33.2% 261 Roger Beauchamp 26.1% 205 Write-in votes 0.25% 2 Total Votes 786 Source: Manchester City Clerk, "Official Results," accessed November 4, 2015

Endorsements

The Manchester Education Association recommended at-large incumbents Kathy Staub and Nancy Tessier, Ward 2 incumbent Debra G. Langton, Ward 4 candidate Leslie Want, Ward 6 incumbent Dan Bergeron, Ward 9 incumbent Arthur J. Beaudry, Ward 10 incumbent John B. Avard, Ward 11 incumbent Katie Desrochers, and Ward 12 incumbent Constance Van Houten.

Ward 7 challenger Wendy Garrity received endorsements from New Hampshire House of Representatives District Hillsborough 14 state representatives Mary Heath (D) and Mary C. Freitas (D), as well as former Manchester Board of School Committee member Dave Gelinas.

Campaign finance

Candidates received a total of $3,684.26 and spent a total of $5,130.96 during the election, according to the Manchester City Clerk.

In the at-large race, candidates reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Kathy Staub	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Nancy Tessier	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Richard Girard	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Joseph Lachance	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 1 race, candidates reported $1,512.71 in contributions and $1,512.71 in expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Sarah S. Ambrogi	$1,512.71	$1,512.71	$0.00
Kevin McCue	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Timothy Sawyer	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 2 race, candidates reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Debra G. Langton	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Sarah L. Browning	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 3 race, candidates reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Bernard Gamache	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Mary Ngwanda Georges	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Theodore Groh	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 4 race, candidates reported no contributions and $769.22 in expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Tim DiVenuti	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Mark Flanders	$0.00	$769.22	-$769.22
Leslie Want	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 5 race, candidates reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Jeremy Dobson	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Lisa M. Freeman	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 6 race, candidates reported $651.00 in contributions and $1,328.48 in expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Dan Bergeron	$201.00	$101.77	$99.23
Bill Hughen	$200.00	$407.65	-$207.65
Larraine Lencki	$250.00	$819.06	-$569.06

In the Ward 7 race, candidates reported $696.00 in contributions and $696.00 in expenditures during the election. Garrity's contributions and expenditures came via her political committee, "Friends of Wendy Garrity."

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Ross Terrio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Maria Brown	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Wendy Garrity	$696.00	$696.00	$0.00

In the Ward 8 race, candidates reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Erika Connors	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Jimmy Lehoux	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 9 race, Arthur J. Beaudry reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Arthur J. Beaudry	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 10 race, John B. Avard reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
John B. Avard	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 11 race, Katie Desrochers reported no contributions or expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Katie Desrochers	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

In the Ward 12 race, candidates reported $824.55 in contributions and $824.55 in expenditures during the election.

Candidate	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on hand
Constance Van Houten	$824.55	$824.55	$0.00
Roger Beauchamp	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Christine Duffley	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Past elections

Information about earlier elections can be found by clicking [show] at the right.

2013 See also: Manchester School District elections (2013) General election Results Manchester School District, At-Large General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Kathy Staub Incumbent 51.9% 8,992      Nonpartisan David M. Wihby Incumbent 47.4% 8,202      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.7% 122 Total Votes 17,316 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed July 29, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 1 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Sarah S. Ambrogi Incumbent 98% 1,652      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 2% 33 Total Votes 1,685 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 2 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Debra G. Langton Incumbent 60.1% 813      Nonpartisan Sarah L. Browning 39.3% 532      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.6% 8 Total Votes 1,353 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 3 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Chris Stewart Incumbent 56.6% 328      Nonpartisan Theodore Groh 43% 249      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.3% 2 Total Votes 579 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 4 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Amy L. Bradley 98.7% 697      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 1.3% 9 Total Votes 706 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 5 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Ted Rokas Incumbent 62.1% 397      Nonpartisan Lisa M. Freeman 37.2% 238      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.6% 4 Total Votes 639 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 6 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Robyn M. Dunphy 51.4% 810      Nonpartisan Dan Bergeron Incumbent 48.3% 760      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.3% 5 Total Votes 1,575 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 7 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Ross Terrio 55.9% 577      Nonpartisan Lisa A. Witte 44.1% 455 Total Votes 1,032 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 8 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Erika Connors Incumbent 66.3% 936      Nonpartisan Steve Vaillancourt 33.4% 471      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.4% 5 Total Votes 1,412 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 9 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Arthur J. Beaudry Incumbent 65.2% 779      Nonpartisan J. Gail Barry 34.5% 412      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.3% 4 Total Votes 1,195 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 10 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan John B. Avard Incumbent 53.4% 708      Nonpartisan Leo R. Bernier 46.3% 613      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.3% 4 Total Votes 1,325 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 11 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Katie Desrochers 68.4% 465      Nonpartisan Stephen Dolman 29.6% 201      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 2.1% 14 Total Votes 680 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 12 General Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Constance Van Houten 52.1% 504      Nonpartisan Christine Duffley 47.5% 460      Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.4% 4 Total Votes 968 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Municipal General Election - November 5, 2013," accessed November 6, 2013 Primary election Manchester School District, Ward 2 Primary Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Debra G. Langton Incumbent 55.8% 414      Nonpartisan Sarah L. Browning 33.3% 247      Nonpartisan Carol-Ann J. Giovanni 10.9% 81 Total Votes 742 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Non-Partisan Municipal Primary Election," accessed December 18, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 6 Primary Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Dan Bergeron Incumbent 42.7% 308      Nonpartisan Robyn M. Dunphy 35.9% 259      Nonpartisan Bill Hughen 21.4% 154 Total Votes 721 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Non-Partisan Municipal Primary Election," accessed December 18, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 12 Primary Election, 2-year term, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Christine Duffley 40.6% 239      Nonpartisan Constance VanHouten 36.3% 214      Nonpartisan Joel Elber 23.1% 136 Total Votes 589 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2013 Non-Partisan Municipal Primary Election," accessed December 18, 2013 2011 Manchester School District, At-Large General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Kathy Staub 34.1% 7,108      Nonpartisan David M. Wihby 31.9% 6,648      Nonpartisan Joshua A. Harwood 17.6% 3,673      Nonpartisan Ross Terrio 16.5% 3,432 Total Votes 20,861 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 1 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Sarah S. Ambrogi Incumbent 100% 1,426 Total Votes 1,426 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 2 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Debra G. Langton Incumbent 60.3% 772      Nonpartisan Lucia A. Carlisle 39.7% 508 Total Votes 1,280 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 3 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Chris Stewart 58.2% 332      Nonpartisan Michael J. DeBlasi Incumbent 41.8% 238 Total Votes 570 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 4 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Roy Shoults 50.6% 440      Nonpartisan Brenda Lett 49.4% 430 Total Votes 870 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 5 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Ted Rokas 67.6% 465      Nonpartisan Tara Powell 32.4% 223 Total Votes 688 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 6 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Donna M. Soucy Incumbent 100% 1,261 Total Votes 1,261 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 7 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Dave Gelinas Incumbent 76.8% 801      Nonpartisan Alan R. Cail 23.2% 242 Total Votes 1,043 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 8 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Erika Connors 52.9% 744      Nonpartisan Robert "Bob" Schiavoni 47.1% 663 Total Votes 1,407 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 9 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Arthur J. Beaudry Incumbent 100% 918 Total Votes 918 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 10 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan John B. Avard Incumbent 100% 1,017 Total Votes 1,017 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 11 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Jason Cooper 52.9% 337      Nonpartisan Stephen Dolman Incumbent 47.1% 300 Total Votes 637 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013 Manchester School District, Ward 12 General Election, 2-year term, 2011 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Nonpartisan Roger Beauchamp Incumbent 52.8% 570      Nonpartisan Carlos Gonzalez 47.2% 509 Total Votes 1,079 Source: City of Manchester, New Hampshire, "2011 Municipal General - November 8, 2011," accessed August 21, 2013

What was at stake?

2015

Issues in the district

Teacher contract vetoed, then approved

From 2013 to 2015, the Manchester School District and the Manchester Education Association (MEA) were unable to reach an agreement regarding a new contract for district educators. This froze teacher salaries at the levels established in the previous contract, which ran from 2009 to 2013. The MEA voted against proposals made by the school district in 2013 and 2014 that would have offset all raises in salary with increases in health insurance premiums and copays.

The stalemate concluded in June 2015 when the MEA's membership voted 498-183 in favor of a compromise agreement spanning from 2015 to 2018. The contract raises teacher salaries, reduces the city's health care contributions and extends the length of school days while shortening the school year. Following the vote, MEA President Ben Dick stated, "We’re very excited. The first step has been taken, and now we look to the board of school committee and the board of mayor and aldermen to follow suit and hopefully ratify the contract, to help us keep moving the students of the city forward."

Mayor Ted Gatsas

On August 4, 2015, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 7-3 to approve the contract, but Mayor Ted Gatsas vetoed the decision. Aldermen Dan O'Neil, Bill Barry, Tom Katsiantonis, Garth Corriveau, Joyce Craig, Pat Long and Tony Sapienza voted to ratify the contract, while Jim Roy, Keith Hirschmann and Joe Kelly Levasseur voted against it. Alderman Norman Gamache was unable to attend the meeting and both Barbara Shaw and Ron Ludwig abstained.

MEA President Ben Dick

The veto by Mayor Gatsas drew criticism from public officials and teachers in Manchester. MEA President Ben Dick stated, "Why the mayor would veto this contract is beyond my comprehension. All 14 Board of School Committee members supported the contract. That is unprecedented. And 70 percent of voting aldermen supported it." The teacher union held a rally to protest the veto that drew hundreds of participants, according to news station NH1. As the mayor of Manchester, Gatsas also served as the chair of the Manchester Board of School Committee at the time of the veto. The school committee responded to the teacher contract veto with a vote of no confidence in Mayor Gatsas. Ten board members supported the motion, and only Ward 2 member Debra G. Langton and Ward 5 member Ted Rokas voted against it. Ward 7 member Ross Terrio abstained from the vote.

Alderman Pat Long

Mayor Gatsas defended his veto by highlighting the expense of the proposed contract. He referred to a financial analysis conducted by Bill Sanders, the city's finance director, which indicated that the agreement would cause budget deficits of $785,862 in the 2017 fiscal year and $703,862 in the 2018 fiscal year. The mayor argued that a budgetary shortfall would still remain if all city property tax revenue were given to the school district, and indicated that ratifying the contract would require ignoring the city charter's taxation cap. He concluded, "At this time, based on these factors, I have concluded the city cannot afford to ratify this agreement."

The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen, on a call from Alderman Pat Long, decided to reconsider the three-year contract agreement on September 1, 2015. The board initially voted 10-2 in favor of the contract, with Bill Shea, Jim Roy and Joe Kelly Levasseur voting against it and Keith Hirschmann abstained. Gatsas vetoed the ratification again and made the following statements at the meeting:

“	It's clear that it's an election year. It's unfortunate and disappointing that this discussion has become embroiled in election-year politics. But, just because it's an election year doesn't give me, the mayor, a free pass to succumb to difficult choices. Just because there's an election doesn't give me, the mayor, a free pass to make the easy choice — over the right choice. There's a word for this, and it's not leadership. [...] In the city there are 13 city unions that are without a long-term contract. The policemen are without a long-term contract. The firefighters are without a long-term contract. The highway workers are without a long-term contract. Right now, over 1,100 employees on the city-side are frozen in their steps and benefits. [...] [I] cannot support a contract that I know will require an override of the tax cap or cause unimaginable alternatives.	”
—Mayor Ted Gatsas (2015)

Following the second veto, the board voted 11-2 to override it. Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur was the only member of the board to change his vote as he moved to supporting the contract. According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, "the overall estimated cost of the tentative agreement ranges from $103.9 million to $104.4 million in year one, to between $106.9 million and $108.7 million in year three."

School choice motion rejected

Board member John B. Avard

In June 2015, the Manchester Board of School Committee voted 9-6 against a motion that would have rescinded a prior district decision to end school choice for Manchester students. Prior to that decision, parents could send their children to schools other than the one assigned by the district. Ward 10 member John B. Avard motioned to reverse that decision and argued, "We should be looking for ways to have more school choice. We all pay the same tax rate for schools, and we should all have access to all 22 buildings in the district." Mayor Ted Gatsas, who served as the chair of the school committee at the time of the vote, insisted that the removal of school choice was necessary in order for Manchester to complete its redistricting process.

At-large incumbent Kathy Staub, Ward 1 member Sarah S. Ambrogi, Ward 3 member Chris Stewart, Ward 4 member Amy L. Bradley, Ward 5 member Ted Rokas, Ward 8 member Erika Connors, Ward 11 member Katie Desrochers, Ward 12 member Constance Van Houten and Chair Gatsas voted against the motion. At-large incumbent Nancy Tessier, Ward 2 member Debra G. Langton, Ward 6 member Robyn M. Dunphy, Ward 7 member Ross Terrio, Ward 9 member Arthur J. Beaudry and Ward 10 member Avard voted in favor of it.

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's school board candidate survey

Two of the 31 candidates in this election participated in Ballotpedia's 2015 survey of school board candidates. The following sections display the responses of Jeremy Dobson in Ward 5 and Ross Terrio in Ward 7.

Top priorities

When asked what his top priorities would be if elected, Jeremy Dobson stated:

“	Attracting and retaining top teachers so we can get Hooksett, Candia, and Auburn back to our high school.	”
—Jeremy Dobson, 2015

When asked what his top priorities would be if elected, Ross Terrio stated:

“	Redistricting. Overcrowded classrooms will be greatly reduced, in part, by coming up with a redistricting plan.	”
—Ross Terrio, 2015

Ranking the issues

The candidates were asked to rank the following issues by importance in the school district, with 1 being the most important and 7 being the least important. This table displays the candidates' rankings:

Issue importance ranking
Issue	Dobson (Ward 5)	Terrio (Ward 7)
Expanding arts education	7	7
Expanding career-technical education	5	1
Balancing or maintaining the district's budget	6	3
Improving college readiness	3	2
Closing the achievement gap	4	4
Improving education for special needs students	2	5
Expanding school choice options	1	6

Positions on the issues

The candidates were asked to answer 10 multiple choice and short answer questions from Ballotpedia regarding significant issues in education and the school district. A link to the candidates' responses can be found below.

• Jeremy Dobson survey responses
• Ross Terrio survey responses

Key deadlines

The following dates were key deadlines for the Manchester School District election in 2015:

Deadline	Event
July 13, 2015	First day for candidates to file nomination documents
July 24, 2015	Last day for candidates to file nomination documents
September 8, 2015	Last day to register to vote in the primary election
September 15, 2015	Primary election day
October 24, 2015	Last day to register to vote in the general election
November 3, 2015	Election Day

Additional elections on the ballot

See also: New Hampshire elections, 2015

This election shared the ballot with the general election for mayor, welfare commissioner, moderator, clerk, aldermen and selectmen positions in all city wards.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Manchester School District New Hampshire. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Manchester School District elections (2015) - Google News

See also

Manchester School District	New Hampshire	School Boards
Manchester School District elections (2013) List of school districts in New Hampshire	New Hampshire school board elections, 2015 Public education in New Hampshire Local ballot measures, New Hampshire	School board elections, 2015 School board elections, 2014

External links

Suggest a link

• Manchester School District
• Manchester City Clerk