Nashua budget committee approves 6% FY2027 request and sends plan to Board of Aldermen after public comments on special education and schedules

The Nashua School District budget committee voted to forward the superintendent's proposed FY2027 operating budget — a 6% increase from FY2026 totaling $144,481,666 without benefits — to the Board of Aldermen after a public comment period and an hourlong presentation and Q&A.

The public-comment period opened with concerns about rising special-education costs and in-district staffing. ‘‘Usually when you can't hire someone it's because no one wants the job,’’ public commenter Steven Skaer said, arguing that heavy caseloads, administrative burden and unrealistic state standards are driving districts to rely on outside contractors and tuition placements. Gary Hoffman, president of the teachers union, urged the committee to approve the superintendent's recommended budget and called on state leaders for more special-education funding: ‘‘It shouldn't be something that's left to the local communities to fund,’’ Hoffman said.

Teachers speaking during public comment described specific classroom and scheduling impacts. Ken Heaton, a high-school teacher, told the committee that a compressed high-school schedule will require policy changes including smaller single-level classes, dedicated department planning time, and a clearly enforced study-hall and attendance policy. Teacher and parent Jennifer Byrne said attendance gaps are inflating section counts and harming outcomes: ‘‘100 percent of my students that came 80 percent or more passed,’’ Byrne said, adding that some sections are funded while chronically absent students occupy the seats.

After the comments, district leaders presented an executive summary outlining enrollment of about 9,500 students, a long-term decline in general-education enrollment, and rising ELL and special-education caseloads. Administration staff said special-education contract services, transportation and personnel remain the largest drivers of cost. The administration said the 192 job postings listed on the district website include 18 positions for 2026–27, four summer positions and a number of openings intended to offset current contractors; a follow-up on the total wages and benefits for unfilled positions was promised.

Budget lead Mr. Gray said reaching a 6% operating increase would require roughly $3.8 million in reductions elsewhere, including about 56 positions across multiple categories if no additional revenue is secured. Dr. Andre (district administration) and Gray told the committee that a 3% increase sought by the mayor would likely force more ‘‘drastic cuts’’ and would not preserve many of the district's programs.

During follow-up questions, board members pressed administration on alternatives: transportation-routing efficiencies, the timing and results of a facility study, the high-school master schedule and whether any cuts could be targeted to nonmandatory items. Administration said many costs (staffing and federally or state-mandated services) are difficult to reduce without affecting compliance or required services.

A motion to approve the FY2027 budget as presented — $144,481,666 without benefits, a 6% increase from FY2026 — to send to the Board of Aldermen passed on roll call. Committee members answered in the affirmative when polled by name, and the motion was recorded as passed. The committee adjourned the budget committee meeting at 7:32 p.m.; staff said the full board may reconvene on Wednesday if additional information is needed before final votes.

The administration promised to provide further detail on the cost of unfilled positions and said more specific staffing impacts will be known after high-school scheduling and enrollment counts are finalized in the spring. The facility study and redistricting work remain future steps the district will use to model longer-term savings and school utilization options.