MERSD Newsletter

On March 18, the MERSD School Committee adopted the FY26 Budget. This budget is a level-services, carry-forward plan that includes the restructuring of the facilities department and the reallocation of two teaching positions from the high school to Memorial School to address class size and the middle school to support reintroducing world language in grade six.

The FY26 Budget reflects our commitment to managing rising costs while continuing to provide a high-quality education. While this budget allows us to continue planning for the reintroduction of library services and elementary world language, it does not resolve the ongoing challenge of securing stable funding to ensure the reliable continuation of services, staffing, and programming from year to year.

Although the School Committee has adopted the FY26 Budget, three critical steps remain for it to become official. The budget must be approved at both the Essex and Manchester Town Meetings, and in Essex, it will require an override ballot vote for final approval. If the budget is not approved by early June, a contingency plan will be implemented to address the $2 million shortfall between available resources and the cost of the FY26 carry-forward level services budget. This would fundamentally alter the district's direction and jeopardize the quality of education we can offer.

Approval Process & Next Steps

The FY 26 Budget has been adopted by the School Committee, but there are still key steps for it to become final:

• Approval at Essex and Manchester Town Meetings:
• Manchester Town Meeting – April 28th, 6:30 PM @ Memorial Elementary School
• Essex Town Meeting – May 5th, 6:30 PM @ Essex Elementary School
• In Essex, an override ballot vote will be required for final approval:
• May 12th, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM @ Essex Public Safety Facility

What Happens If the MERSD Budget Does Not Pass?

If the proposed MERSD budget is rejected at the first round of town meetings and the override vote, the following process will take place:

• Budget Review and Amendment: The Regional School District Committee will have 30 days to review, amend, and resubmit the budget based on concerns raised during the meetings and elections.
• Second Round of Votes: A second round of town meetings will be held to vote on the reconsidered budget, with each town holding their meeting within 45 days of receiving the revised budget.
• Final Approval: If both towns approve the reconsidered budget, it becomes final. If the reconsidered budget is rejected again, a special district-wide meeting will be held for all registered voters from both towns to vote on the budget.
• State Intervention: If no budget is approved by December 1, the state takes control of the district’s finances and sets a state-imposed budget, ensuring school operations continue under a 1/12 monthly budget allocation.
• Contingency Plan & Level-Funded Operations: If the budget is unresolved by June, MERSD will need to begin to enact its contingency plan. If the new fiscal year begins on July 1 without an approved budget, MERSD will operate under a level-funded assumption, meaning the district will maintain the same budget as the previous year without any new funding increases until a budget is approved.

MERSD has built a strong reputation for academic achievement, a dedicated faculty, and a commitment to small class sizes and co-curricular programs. With the FY26 Budget as a temporary solution, our goal is to preserve and enhance this foundation for the upcoming year while continuing to work toward long-term financial sustainability. The decisions made this spring will directly impact our ability to sustain the high-quality educational experience that our community expects and deserves.

For More Information Visit

MERSD Budget & Finance Page

MERSD Budget FAQ

The Manchester Essex Regional School District and the School Building Committee have selected Dore & Whittier as Owner's Project Manager (OPM) for the Essex Elementary School Building Project. Dore & Whittier's selection was approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) at its Board of Directors meeting on Monday, April 7.

Dore & Whittier, with offices in Newburyport, MA and Burlington, VT, has been providing owner's project management services for more than 30 years. The company has supported dozens of construction and renovation projects such as Pine Grove School in Rowley and West Parish Elementary School and East Veterans Elementary School in Gloucester.

Dore & Whittier is consistently ranked in Architectural Record’s Top 300 Architecture Firms in the U.S. and ENR’s Top 100 Green Buildings Design Firms.

Dore & Whittier selected as Project Manager for Essex Elementary School Building Project. A contracted OPM is required by state law for all MSBA-funded projects. Dore & Whittier will provide project management services including advice and consultation with respect to design, value engineering, scope of the work, cost estimating, scheduling, construction and more.

As the District continues through the Feasibility Study Phase, a designer will be selected for the project. The OPM and selected designer will then document the educational programming, generate an initial space summary, document existing conditions, establish design parameters, develop and evaluate alternatives, and recommend the most cost-effective and educationally appropriate preferred solution to the MSBA for consideration.

Timeline

• The School Building Committee will develop a request for design services by April 22.
• The District will hold kickoff meetings with Dore & Whittier on April 22-24.
• Architect proposals will be accepted from May 21 to June 18.
• The District will meet with the MSBA Designer Selection Panel on July 15 and select the architect no later than Aug. 5.

About the Essex Elementary School Building Project

In November 2022, consultants Habeeb & Associates publicly shared its needs assessment

of both Essex Elementary and Manchester Essex Middle High School. The study identified that Essex Elementary, which opened in 1957, has passed its useful life and requires about $9 million in capital investment.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) admitted MERSD into the Eligibility Phase of its grant process in 2023. Being accepted means Essex Elementary has been identified as being one of the neediest schools in the state, and close to being out of options to address its structural issues.

Participation in the MSBA program allows MERSD to work with MSBA experts to determine solutions for providing a renovated/rebuilt facility that enables a 21st century education.

For More Information

• For more information about the Essex Elementary School Building Project, click here.
• For a full overview of phases as part of the MSBA process, click here.

We invite the MERSD community to save the date of May 6th @ 6:00pm. We will be hosting our final Digital Wellness Community Education session. This presentation will focus on preventing the spread of misinformation and disinformation in our current AI media era. We will learn the strategies for carefully analyzing information online, practice with some examples of recent viral posts, and then be empowered to bring new skills home to your children.

This event is appropriate for parents/guardians at all levels and is facilitated by Kerry Gallagher, JD, Education Director of ConnectSafely.org and St. John’s Prep Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning.

Please RSVP to help us plan bit.ly/MERSDwellness (would you prefer in-person or virtual presentation?)

MERSD enjoyed over 30 student presenters from all 4 schools showcasing amazing projects and 30+ community experts sharing hands-on experiences. Community members of all ages found joy in science, tech, music & art, and cool interactive activities.

The Open Door Food Truck will visit Essex Elementary School and Manchester Memorial Elementary School. This resource is available for anyone in the Community. For more information about The Open Door please visit their website.

OUR LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS JUNE 18TH (HALF DAY SCHEDULE)

36 Lincoln St.

Manchester, MA 01944

https://www.mersd.org/

Phone 978.526.4919

Fax 978.526.7585