Nashua Board of Education meeting 8/24/26

The Nashua Board of Education held a meeting on August 24, 2026, focusing on several procurement and contracting matters related to the upcoming school year. Key procurement actions included approval of contracts for digital licenses for the HMH English 3D program totaling up to $33,000, and multiple contracts for special education and mental health staffing services with vendors such as Effective School Solutions, Rockingham Contracting and Therapy Services, Stepping Stones Group, and others, with contract values ranging from approximately $46,900 to over $236,000. The board also approved a contract for orientation and mobility services funded by an IDEA grant for $135,990. Additionally, the board approved a special education differential payment of $1,500 to eligible special education staff to aid recruitment and retention. A grant award of $91,600 from the Crotchet Mountain Foundation was approved to continue educational programs. Policy updates related to district security, audio and video recording on school buses, and community use of school facilities were discussed and approved, including new procedures for visitor access and updated fee structures for facility use. The meeting also included a discussion on co-curricular stipends, with community members and teachers advocating for increased compensation for music program staff, highlighting the disparity between current stipends and the workload and responsibilities involved. The board acknowledged these concerns and expressed intent to consider them further. Overall, the meeting addressed significant budget allocations and contract approvals essential for staffing, educational resources, and compliance with state regulations for the 2026-2027 school year.