Nashua board clarifies $1,500 special-education differential, approves back‑to‑school contracts and hires

The Nashua School District Board of Education on Monday approved a memorandum of understanding with the Nashua Teachers Union that spells out how a $1,500 special‑education differential will be prorated for part‑time staff and handled if a staff member leaves early in the school year.

Resident Gary Hoffman urged the board in public comment to adopt the MOU so the language would answer questions left from contract negotiations, saying the compromise “where part‑time special educators would receive a prorated amount” is clear and workable. The board voted to approve the MOU by voice vote.

Superintendent Dr. Andre also announced operational and staffing updates for the 2025–26 school year, including a new district website and roughly 120 new hires. Administration said the MOU gives the superintendent sole authority to waive proration in specific circumstances.

At the same meeting the board approved a slate of facilities and maintenance contracts to prepare schools for the year:

• A $39,800.57 contract with Allied Universal for annual licensing and support of 26 network video recorders across the district (funded from contract‑services line).

• A $39,946.08 contract with Eckert & Johnson to install 12 roof‑mounted exhaust fans at New Searls Elementary (deferred‑maintenance funding).

• A three‑year maintenance agreement with Control Technologies to service HVAC controls in 15 schools at an annual cost of $194,922; administration said Siemens covers other schools and that unit counts explain price variation between older and renovated facilities.

• A $100,374.96 purchase order to Allied Universal for district‑wide security‑system maintenance and repair.

Administration explained that the Control Technologies price reflects the number of control devices at each building and that older schools with unit ventilators cost more to maintain than newer schools whose air handlers serve multiple classrooms.

The board also approved an award for crack repair and resurfacing of the tennis courts at Nashua High School North and South not to exceed $91,400 plus a $5,000 contingency (total ~$96,400). Administration described rejecting the lowest bidder after due diligence and awarding to the next qualified vendor to ensure durability in New Hampshire winters.

Board members approved special‑education contracts listed on the finance and operations memo (with TeachTown and Carroll Center services noted as grant‑funded and excluded from the vote). Members and administration emphasized that most vendor contracts include 30‑ to 60‑day exit or notice clauses so the district may reduce external services if it can recruit in‑house staff.

Personnel approvals and appointments included roughly 120 new hires across the district and the appointment of Tianne Colicchio as civil‑rights coordinator at an annual salary of $115,000. Dr. Andre described the civil‑rights coordinator as a proactive, centralized point of contact and investigator to ensure timely, confidential handling of complaints in a district of nearly 10,000 students.

“What we want is a cleaner system to make sure that all investigations and policies are being followed in a thorough way,” Dr. Andre said when explaining the new position.

Votes at a glance (motions approved):

• Allied Universal — NVR licensing and support, $39,800.57 — approved. • Eckert & Johnson — 12 rooftop exhaust fans, $39,946.08 — approved. • Control Technologies — 3‑year HVAC controls maintenance, $194,922 annual — approved. • Allied Universal — district security maintenance, $100,374.96 — approved. • Tennis‑courts crack repair and resurfacing (North & South) — not to exceed $91,400 + $5,000 contingency — approved. • Special‑education contracts (per F&O memo, 08/19/2025) — approved (TeachTown/Carroll Center excluded; those are grant‑funded) — approved. • Savvas — grade‑8 social studies curriculum, $75,418 (two equal payments, Aug. 2025/2026) — approved. • FY26 July transfer report — approved. • Personnel recommendations (08/25/2025; many hires including ~12.5 special‑education positions among nominations) — approved. • Appointment of Tianne Colicchio as civil‑rights coordinator — approved. • MOU with Nashua Teachers Union clarifying special‑education differential — approved. • Harbor Care MOU (space for therapeutic services; parental permission and private billing) — approved. • Acceptance of $20,000 grant from Conway Arena/City of Nashua Ice Rink Commission for high‑school hockey uniforms — approved.

The board did not record roll‑call tallies by name for these motions; votes were taken by voice and the chair announced motions as passed.

The board ended its public business by taking up procedural and governance items, including a discussion about improving packet timing and materials access for board members. The meeting moved into a nonpublic session under RSA 91‑A:3 II(c) for personnel matters at 7:40 p.m.

What to watch next: administrators said the facilities master‑plan subcommittee will resume this Wednesday with an aim to finish by winter; policy and curriculum presentations (including a preschool curriculum presentation scheduled for Sept. 29) were also flagged for upcoming meetings.