Concord voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to give the Concord School Board authority to market and sell the district’s central office at the former Dewey School, a nearly 20,000-square-foot building on 1.1 acres west of downtown.
What’s on the ballot
The question that will appear on the school ballot asks voters to authorize the board “to market and sell the former Dewey School property, currently serving as the Concord School District’s central office located at 38 Liberty Street, Concord, NH,” and to allow the board to set “terms, conditions, and price as it deems in the best interest of the District,” subject to state law on the right of first refusal for charter schools.
“Shall the Concord School District authorize the Concord School Board to market and sell the former Dewey School property, currently serving as the Concord School District’s central office located at 38 Liberty Street, Concord, NH, in such manner (whether by bid, auction or broker listing) and on such terms, conditions, and price as it deems in the best interest of the District, with said sale subject to the District’s compliance with the statutory right of first refusal provision pertaining to charter schools in RSA 194:61?”
Background and local context
The Dewey School, named for Rev. Harry Dewey, served as an elementary school from 1901 until 2004 and now houses district administrative offices and the school board chambers. District officials have said administrative functions could be relocated into the Concord High School complex, which the board cites as a potential consolidation option.
- The property is about 1.1 acres with a building of nearly 20,000 square feet.
- The combined land and building are valued at approximately $2.7 million, a roughly $1 million increase after recent reassessments.
- Under district rules voters approved in 2024, the board must obtain voter authorization to sell any district property larger than 1 acre.
Why the district is pursuing a sale
Board members and district leaders have said selling surplus school buildings could reduce the district’s long-term debt costs, including debt tied to the city’s new middle school project. The board previously sought and won voter approval to sell the Eastman School in 2025, and it has formed a public committee to guide the sale process for Dewey if voters approve the authorization.
A yes vote on Nov. 3 would permit the board to list the Dewey building for sale at a later date and to choose the timing, sale method and terms it considers appropriate. A no vote would prevent the district from moving forward with a sale at this time.
Location and neighborhood
The Dewey School sits west of downtown Concord, near Concord High School and White Park, in a largely residential, historic neighborhood. The building’s position and size have been noted by city and district officials in discussions about reuse, consolidation of administrative space, and potential impacts on nearby residents.
If voters approve the authorization, the school board will still be required to comply with RSA 194:61, the statutory right of first refusal for charter schools, before completing any sale.
The ballot question will appear on the Concord School District ballot on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
