
The Common, Edition #17
December 22, 2022

March 3, 2023
Superintendent Update
Dear Nashoba Families,
Last week, Governor Healey released her proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 and it brought some good news to Nashoba. We should anticipate an increase in state aid of $700,000 to augment the proposed school budget and transportation reimbursement will be increased from 75% to 90%. This additional revenue will allow us to move forward with a proposed school budget where all three towns are assessed an increase of less than 5% over last year's budget. You can see the detailed presentations on the budget by visiting the School Committee web page and clicking on the video for January 18, 2023. From that initial meeting to today, we were able to reduce the total budget from a 5.31% increase to a 4.3% increase for the 2023-2024 school year. That translates to town assessment increases of: 3.32% for Bolton, 4.78% for Lancaster, and 2.82% for Stow. The proposed FY24 Budget was presented to the finance and advisory committees of our towns on February 28, 2023. That presentation outlines how the assessment for each town is calculated and shows the trend for the last five years.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, the Nashoba Regional School Committee will hold a remote budget hearing for the public to attend and offer comments. You will find the posting for that meeting on the School Committee website at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023. I encourage you to attend the meeting and offer your thoughts.
Finally, the School Committee will vote on the budget at the March 15, 2023 School Committee meeting. A comprehensive budget book will be posted to the NRSD website by April 1, 2023. As citizens, you will have the final say on the budget at each town's annual town meeting. Those meetings are scheduled as follows:
Bolton - May 1
Lancaster - May 1, 2023
Stow- May 13, 2023
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Peace,
Kirk Downing
(He/Him)
“Be your best self. Pave your path. Impact the world.”
News from the Department of Teaching and Learning
An Announcement from the NRHS International Club...
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. at the high school, the NRHS International Club will host the first annual Nashoba InternationalFest to celebrate the diversity of our district’s students, families, and communities.
The InternationalFest will offer presentations, displays, performances, and foods featuring the many cultures of our community members. We are looking for volunteers to share their culture and heritage through food, music, arts, performances, brief talks, demonstrations, etc.
Please see the flyer, below, for more information. Interested individuals should scan the QR code to complete the participation survey. We would appreciate responses from interested folks by March 22.
Thank you in advance for your help! We are very excited to bring this new event to our district!
Sincerely,
NRHS International Club
Fedora Ogodo (class of 2023), Maria Kawooya (class of 2023), Hadassah Kamau (class of 2025), Maryam Mulyono (class of 2025), Ellen Jun (class of 2025), Colin Crouse (class of 2025), Roselyn Lai (class of 2025), Melody Robin (class of 2025), Amalia Nagale (class of 2023), Francois Mendez (class of 2024), Riana Bihari (class of 2025), Nadya Demosthene (class of 2026), Zye Gagliardi (class of 2024)
Have questions? Please contact International Club Advisors:
Jaana Thorarensen (jthorarensen@nrsd.net) and Kristin Hera (khera@nrsd.net)
News from the Department of Pupil Personnel Services
Please mark your calendars:
SEPAC Business Meeting
Thursday, March 9, 2023 7pm to 8pm
Please email agenda items or concerns to SEPACchair2022@nrsd.net
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/efi-kdib-rje
Or dial: (US) +1 406-686-2498 PIN: 632 235 954#
News from the Health and Wellness Department
MassHealth has maintained members’ coverage and benefits due to continuous coverage requirements that started during the COVID-19 emergency. MassHealth will soon return to their normal renewal process. All MassHealth members will need to renew their health coverage.
If MassHealth has enough information to confirm your eligibility, your coverage will be renewed automatically. If they are not able to confirm your eligibility automatically, they will send a renewal form in a blue envelope to the mailing address they have on file.
What you need to do now:
• Make sure MassHealth has your most up to date address, phone number, and email so you do not miss important information and notices from MassHealth. If they are not able to contact you when you are selected for renewal your coverage may change or you may lose your coverage.
• Report any household changes. Please continue to report any changes in your household, like a new job, address, changes to your income, disability status, or pregnancy. MassHealth wants to make sure they have the latest information for you and all members of your household.
Update your information and report changes using your MA Login Account at http://www.mahix.org/individual. Don’t have an account? To create one, call MassHealth Customer Service at (844) 365-1841. Find out more about MA Login Accounts Online at mass.gov/masshealthlogin.
Questions? If you have questions, need help with your MassHealth coverage, or if you have lost coverage, please contact MassHealth Customer Service at (800) 841-2900.
Nashoba Notable Award - Celebrating Everyday Greatness at Nashoba
Celebrating everyday greatness! Is there a Nashoba teacher or staff member out there who you think deserves some special recognition? Send a Nashoba Notable Award their way! Fill out the form below and thank a Nashoba employee today!
Nashoba Notable Awards thank Nashoba employees for supporting students, families, and their school communities in all ways great and small.
Employees will receive a certificate that includes a brief explanation from the nominator of why they are Nashoba Notable. This form is open to everyone. Students, families, staff and community members can send a Nashoba Notable Award to any Nashoba employee.
There is no limit to the number of Nashoba Notable Awards someone may receive. Thank a Nashoba employee today!
This Week at Nashoba
MRE held Community Reading Day on Thursday.
Readers from the community, along with former MRE students, read to students.
Best selling author, Suzy Becker, shared her process with FSS kindergarten.
FSS Students participated in the Grade 8 Activities Committee's "Nailed It" baking competition.
Together, we inspire and challenge all learners to reach their unique potential and become active contributors to their community.