Move will strengthen efforts addressing student absenteeism and graduation rates, with continued support of Manchester youth
Manchester, NH - Last night, the Board of Aldermen approved Mayor Jay Ruais' proposal for the City's Office of Youth Services (OYS), reinforcing the department's focus on supporting Manchester’s youth and formalizing its ongoing collaboration with the Manchester School District to build on early successes in addressing chronic absenteeism, classroom behavior, and high school graduation rates.
This proposal follows months of community engagement and solicitation of input from youth-centered partners, key stakeholders, and elected officials, alongside a comprehensive operational assessment of OYS. Through this process, the City identified opportunities to better align the department's resources with the needs of Manchester's students, schools, and families.
"We took a thoughtful approach in evaluating the challenges facing our young people, listened to our educators, Aldermen, and community partners, and identified areas where we can make a meaningful difference," said Mayor Jay Ruais. "Chronic absenteeism, students disengaging from the classroom, and young people struggling to graduate are challenges we can address and continue to improve upon. We have dedicated professionals in our Office of Youth Services who are uniquely positioned to help address these issues. This effort is about giving them the structure, direction, and tools to do just that."
The Manchester Health Department's 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment identified chronic school absenteeism and high school graduation rates as factors negatively impacting health outcomes in the community. Recognizing the potential long-term consequences of students becoming disengaged from school, the City sought to identify how OYS could play a more direct role in addressing these challenges.
In April, the City convened 114 participants representing a broad cross-section of Manchester's youth-serving community to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities in existing services. A second meeting in July, facilitated by Manchester Proud, brought together 62 participants representing 47 organizations and agencies.
Throughout these discussions, participants consistently identified the need for stronger coordination among existing services, improved access to resources, and additional support for middle and high school students.
Under the approved proposal, OYS counselors located in the schools will become formally integrated into the Manchester School District's Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavior (MTSS-B), working directly alongside school administrators, counselors, school-based community partners, and other support staff.
As part of each middle and high school’s MTSS-B team, OYS counselors will focus on supporting identified students experiencing chronic absenteeism, intervene with students who repeatedly cut class, help students transition successfully from middle to high school, and
provide individualized support to students at risk of dropping out. OYS counselors will continue to participate in behavioral intervention teams and help expand programs focused on conflict resolution, positive school climate, and student engagement.
"Manchester has an incredible network of organizations committed to helping our young people succeed, but we know there are gaps in how those services are coordinated and delivered," Ruais continued. "Rather than duplicate the good work already being done, we are taking a more strategic approach to connecting students with the support they need. By focusing OYS on the challenges we have identified, we can strengthen our schools, support families, and help put more students on a path toward success."
The new department structure also establishes a Youth Community Liaison position to improve coordination among the City, School District, and community organizations, helping connect young people and families with existing resources and services. The Liaison will also work towards enhancing existing collaborations and establishing new alliances among partners to
address additional identified needs of the City’s youth.
The approved proposal establishes an 18-month pilot program beginning in January 2027 and concluding in June 2028. A formal Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Manchester School District will establish roles, responsibilities, expectations, and accountability measures for the Manchester School District, OYS, and their respective staff.
Throughout the pilot, the City and School District will collect and evaluate real-time data on student engagement, interventions, and outcomes, with regular updates provided to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Board of School Committee.
"For more than five decades, the Office of Youth Services has evolved to meet the changing needs of Manchester's young people," Ruais concluded. "Today, we are continuing that tradition by identifying the challenges before us and taking meaningful steps to address them. Our responsibility is to ensure that City resources are being used effectively and that our young people have every opportunity to succeed."
Pursuant to RSA 656:42 VIII the Office of the City Clerk of Manchester will be testing ballots for the November 3, 2026 State General Election and sealing all tabulator machines beginning Wednesday, October 28, 2026 starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers, 3rd Floor of City Hall. The public is welcome to view the process.
s/Matthew Normand
City Clerk
Per RSA 658:31; the Office of the City Clerk of Manchester hereby gives public notice to the voters of Manchester that the official ballots to be used in the November 3, 2026 State General Election will be counted at the Office of the City Clerk starting on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. until completion.
s/Matthew Normand
City Clerk
FOOD RECALL ALERT – KAYEM FOODS
The USDA has announced a Class I (High Risk) recall of approximately 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to possible improper storage temperatures.
Affected products include certain hot dogs, sausages, bacon, deli meats, and other products distributed nationwide under multiple brand names.
Consumers and food establishments: Check your products and inventory. Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled products. Discard them or return them to the place of purchase.
🔗 Full recall details and affected product list:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kayem-foods-inc--recalls-meat-and-poultry-products-due-possible-temperature-abuse
Pursuant to RSA 659:49 I & II the Moderators in Wards 1 – 12 may begin processing the absentee ballots for the State General Election at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
s/Matthew Normand
City Clerk
Coming this November…
Tax Office Appointment Platform
Save Time. Skip the Line.
Beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the City Clerk's Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays to provide additional availability to anyone wishing to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot leading up to the November 3, 2026 State General Election.
Between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the City Clerk’s Office will be open for all regular business, including voter registration and absentee ballot requests. Between 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the office will be open for voter registration and absentee ballot purposes only.
Anyone wishing to register to vote is reminded that they must present proof of age, identity, domicile, and citizenship at the time of registration. More information about how to register to vote in Manchester and what documentation proves each qualification can be found here on our website.
Additionally, any voters needing to request an absentee ballot must present a qualified photo ID at the time of their request.
For additional information, please visit the City Clerk’s Office website at manchesternh.gov/elections or call (603) 624-6455.
Tuesdays with added voter registration and absentee ballot availability:
- October 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- October 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- October 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- October 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Absentee Voting Only)
The Manchester Health Department is excited to share its Annual Resource Guide for 2026–2027.
The Guide lists resources and services for Manchester residents who might need healthcare and prescription assistance, food and clothing resources, employment and transportation services, mom and baby supports, mental health and substance use treatment, veteran and senior services, housing and legal assistance, winter resources, and recreational activities.
Click HERE for the 2026–2027 Annual Resource Guide on the Manchester Health Department’s website. Our multi-lingual staff will be happy to help you in Spanish, French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, or Swahili. Other language assistance is also available by reaching out to our Public Health and Safety Team (PHAST) at phast@manchesternh.gov or calling 603-655-6841.
Rockingham Recreational Trail Extended Closure Notice: Starting XXXXX
As part of the Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project, a section of the Rockingham Recreational Trail will be closed for an extended period of time.
- Closure begins: September X, 2026
- Anticipated reopening: Fall 2028
What to Expect:
- Access to the Rockingham Recreational Trail will still be accessible via Oakland Ave. and Woodbine Ave.
- The crosswalk at the trailhead on Mammoth Road will be closed
- Signs will guide pedestrians and cyclists with details on closure limits. Please refer to the figure below for closure limits.
- Please plan ahead and utilize alternate travel routes.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance our community’s infrastructure.
Sincerely,
Environmental Protection Division
Department of Public Works
City of Manchester