Manchester Schools Propose $235 Million Tax-Cap Budget for FY '27

Budget includes $6.3 million for school food and $7.85 million for capital projects

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Manchester school officials have proposed a $235.5 million tax-cap compliant budget for Fiscal Year 2027, along with two additional budget options of $251.4 million and $265.3 million. The tax-cap budget includes increases in salaries, transportation costs, debt service, and city services. The proposal also includes $7.85 million for capital improvement projects like playground replacements, parking lot improvements, bus purchases, and IT infrastructure.

Why it matters

Manchester operates under a voter-approved tax cap that limits the city's property tax revenue increases to the average increase in the consumer price index over the previous three years. This budget proposal aims to balance the district's funding needs with the tax cap constraints, while also providing options for the city to consider higher spending levels.

The details

The $235.5 million tax-cap compliant budget proposal includes $113.7 million in salaries, $11.2 million in transportation costs, $12.1 million in debt service, and $9.5 million for city services. The additional budget options of $251.4 million and $265.3 million would provide more funding but exceed the tax cap. The $7.85 million in capital projects includes playground replacements, parking lot improvements, bus purchases, and IT infrastructure.

  • The budget proposal will be presented at the Finance and Facilities committee meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The school board will discuss the budget and hold a public hearing later this month before sending it to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for consideration.

The players

Jennifer Chmiel

Superintendent of Manchester Schools.

Nicole Doherty

Assistant Superintendent of Manchester Schools.

Christine Telge

Athletic Director of Manchester Schools.

Amadou Hamady

Executive Director of Student Engagement for Manchester Schools.

Sharon Wickens

Finance Director for the City of Manchester.

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What they’re saying

“Manchester operates under a cap on property taxes established by a voter-approved amendment to the city charter. Generally referred to as a tax cap, the provision limits the total amount of money raised from property taxes, rather than the tax rate itself.”

— Sharon Wickens, Finance Director, City of Manchester (unionleader.com)

What’s next

The school board will vote to send the additional budget options to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for consideration after the public hearing later this month.

The takeaway

Manchester's tax-cap budget process aims to balance the district's funding needs with the constraints of the voter-approved tax cap, providing the city with multiple budget options to consider for the upcoming fiscal year.