Show Notes
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Boston about the start of the 2026–2027 school year. Boston discusses the district's 30 new teachers, about 10% of its roughly 300-person teaching staff, noting a strong mix of recent graduates and experienced educators new to Dover. She describes the behind-the-scenes summer work by facilities and IT staff, including new printer/copier systems and wireless access point upgrades, and introduces four new administrators joining Dover's public schools. Boston previews Campus Parent, a new online portal replacing Meal Time that will let families manage lunch balances, payments, and automatic replenishment digitally. She reflects on last year's cell phone ban, calling it a success that boosted library use and student social interaction. The conversation turns to enrollment trends: kindergarten numbers are unusually low while high school enrollment stays stable, driven by school choice, career and technical education (CTE), and strong athletics and AP offerings. Parker and Boston discuss the demographic shifts behind this, including smaller families, people having children later, and new housing that isn't attracting families with school-age kids. Boston highlights the growth and prestige of Dover's CTE programs, including biotechnology and firefighting, which now set students up for strong careers after graduation. She closes by pointing to the district's strategic pillars and ongoing data review as the foundation for continued academic improvement heading into the new year.
In This Week in Dover History, we look back to 1999, when nearly 100 teachers and staff got their first tour of the new $15 million, 160,000-square-foot middle school under construction on Daily Drive, replacing the outdated 1934 Dover High School building. The state-of-the-art facility—featuring a 190-seat theater and a spacious gymnasium—opened to students on schedule in January 2000 and still serves Dover's middle schoolers today.
More from Dover Download
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dian Maruca, executive director of the Dover Housing Authority, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits and social service agencies. Maruca, who has led the authority since March 2026 after joining as deputy director in 2023, shares how a teenage landscaping job at the Newmarket Housing Authority grew into a career in subsidized housing. She says that hands-on experience shapes her respect for her maintenance and administrative staff.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton about the FY28-33 Capital Improvements Program, presented to the City Council and Planning Board on Oct. 7.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Media Services Mike Gillis about September's board, committee and commission meetings.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Margaret Joyce and Jed Allen of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce about the 42nd annual Apple Harvest Day. What began as a small craft fair on Orchard Street with about a dozen crafters has grown into a signature event often described as Dover's homecoming, with roughly 250 vendors, two food courts, a road race, an apple pie contest and entertainment on two stages. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the 5K road race starting at 8:30 a.m.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Kathy Beebe, executive director of Haven, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits. Haven is the Seacoast's domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and support agency. It was formed through the merger of A Safe Place and Sexual Assault Support Services. Beebe explains that the new name was chosen deliberately to make clear its services are for anyone affected, including men, teens, adult survivors of childhood abuse, and family members.