NSD eNews
Volume XIX Issue 8
Mario Andrade, Superintendent of Schools
December 20, 2023
Dear NSD Families and Staff,
A few more days for our students and staff until a much deserved vacation. Please find time for rest and relaxation during the break. We will see you all in the new year, on Tuesday, January 2.
Meanwhile, tomorrow is the first day of winter and I think this is a great time to remind you about the calling of snow days and delayed openings, despite the less then winter-like weather recently. I consult with meteorologists, Nashua Police, Nashua Public Works, First Transportation, and NSD Transportation about travel and walking conditions. We will use nashua.edu, mass communication phone and text messages, and social media to let you know. Local radio and television stations will also carry NSD snow day and delayed opening announcements.
Please keep in mind the decision to cancel or delay school is based on the best available information at the time the decision is made; however, depending on varying conditions, the decision to keep a child home during inclement weather ultimately rests with each parent.
Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Mario Andrade, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Nashua School District
Nashua Board of Education
Dr. Andrade and Jennifer Bishop, Board President, opened the meeting by recognizing the service of four Board members, including the student representative from Nashua HS South, who are wrapping up their tenure on the Board at the close of the calendar year: Jessica Brown, Paula Johnson, Dotty Oden, and Dante Castellano.
"We know you brought with you a high regard for public education with your service to the Board," said Regan Lamphier, Board Clerk in thanking them for their service, "and you will carry that belief as you move forward in the years ahead."
Committee on Finance and Operations: The Board approved three motions:
- $117,837.11 purchase of new LED lighting from Events United, Derry, NH, for the television studio at Nashua HS South;
- FY25 $1.135M NSD Deferred Maintenance and Capital Improvement Plan, with projects at Amherst Street and Bicentennial Elementary Schools and both high schools, as well as approximately $350K in funds to develop a facility master plan;
- FY24 NSD October and November Budget Transfer Report.
Committee on Policy: The Board gave a first reading to two policies and, after much discussion and proposed motion amendments, approved 6-3 policy IMBD Middle School Instruction; IMBD outlines middle level education instructional practices; one of the policy changes eliminates leveling or grouping students in classes according to academic ability.
E. Support Services
- EBCB Fire Safety First Reading; Second Reading 1.8.2024
I. Instruction
- IMBD Middle School Instruction
- IJ Instructional Materials First Reading; Second Reading 1.8.2024
Committee on Human Resources: Among seven personnel action items, the Board approved the hiring of three new staff members, and approved the revised job description for the elementary special education coordinator position.
New Business: The Board approved seven classroom teacher grants totaling nearly $15,000 from the Nashua Education Foundation, and approved the FY24 3.5% raises for employees in non-union affiliated positions, retroactive to July 1, 2023.
The next Nashua Board of Education meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 8, 2024 at Nashua High School North.
Happy Holidays! Nashua ETV, the City of Nashua cable channel (channel 99) devoted to our schools, has recorded a number of holiday and winter concerts and will rebroadcast them over vacation, starting this weekend. Click here to check viewing schedule.
#NashuaSchools
Be sure to follow NSD on Instagram! Just so you know, NSD will be utilizing social media, in addition to other means, to announce snow days and delayed opening days this year.
The 10th Annual NPD Tactical Christmas: HO! Ho! Ho! Cheers to the 10th Annual Nashua Police Department Tactical Christmas! Our warmest thanks to you and Santa for a wonderful visit with the Purple Panthers Preschoolers at Nashua HS South. We appreciate you giving Dasher, Dancer, and the team extra days of rest before the big day! Note photos above.