MANCHESTER – Excitement and optimism are in full bloom this Spring as work begins on capital improvement projects in schools throughout the city. The Manchester School Department has embarked on a long-anticipated construction and renovation project at multiple sites. On Thursday, June 12, 2025, school and community leaders will break ground on Hillside Middle School's expansive renovation project. The public is invited to attend the celebration.
“This is a transformational moment for Hillside students and our school faculty and the first in a series of steps to dramatically improve our facilities,” says Dr. Jennifer Chmiel, Superintendent of Manchester School District. “Once complete, we believe these new and improved facilities will be a source of pride for all who enter Hillside. Our 21st century learning environments will match the changing needs of our students and our staff.”
The work being done at Hillside includes a significant expansion for classrooms and new learning spaces on the backside of the school. In addition, there will be community access to common spaces such as the new gymnasium and library area.
State-of-the-art modular classrooms are in place and in use at Hillside to ensure continuity of learning during the construction schedule. Manchester School District is planning a series of Open Houses to provide opportunities for the public to watch the progress of Priority One. Updates on schedules and events can be found online at the District’s website. The public can follow the work of Hillside Middle School here: https://view.ceros.com/consigli/hillside-middle-school-1/p/1.
Meantime, there is a flurry of activity at multiple sites simultaneously to complete work as quickly as possible, for minimum impact on families during construction. Harvey Construction is spearheading the Beech Street Elementary School project as well as the extensive renovation work at Southside and Parkside Middle Schools. Consigli Construction will lead the renovation efforts at Hillside and McLaughlin Middle schools.
The city has never embarked on a capital improvement project of this scope, the results of which will mean new technology, improved design, and enhanced learning spaces. Known as “Priority One,” this multi-phase infrastructure improvement effort is shaping the future of education in the state’s largest city. The project, passed by the Board of School Committee and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, has no impact on the tax rate in Manchester.
“This is an exciting and historic moment in our city’s history, as we have never seen an undertaking of this size and scope before with our school facilities,” says Jim O’Connell, Vice-Chair of the Manchester Board of School Committee. “Years of planning has culminated in this moment, and the future is bright for our students, our families and our entire city.”
“The Hillside community is tight-knit and has always supported the students and teachers and staff at the school,” says Ward 4 BOSC Member Leslie Want. “We will make sure to communicate progress on the project to the entire neighborhood. This project will provide much-needed improvements to the facility and boost the learning environment to a new level. Students and families deserve nothing less than access to high quality education in an outstanding setting.”
Priority One is part of a district-wide effort to transform physical space, align curriculum, improve competitive salaries, expand learning programs, and improve outcomes for all students. These simultaneous efforts have already shown results as attendance, graduation and assessment rates are climbing and incidents of discipline and dropout rates are falling.
“I often talk about the three-legged stool approach to our district: educational program and curriculum, high quality teachers and staff, and improved learning environments,” explains Superintendent Chmiel. “For too many years, our facilities have been under-maintained. It has been decades since we have invested properly in our buildings. We had to close an elementary school last year due to disrepair. This project, and the renovations we plan for other schools in the coming years, will provide the best possible 21st century learning centers we can affordably provide to our students.”