On March 15, 2025, the Nashua School District Budget Committee announced that adhering to the City's proposed 3% budget increase would require cutting the equivalent of 69.5 teaching positions, along with an additional $1 million in budget reductions.

Under normal circumstances, a 3% increase would be manageable, but this is not a typical year. The district's current budget is approximately $131 million, meaning a 3% increase would add $3.9 million. However, an unexpected 22% hike in the First Student bus contract consumed $1,992,442 of that increase. Additionally, mandated increases in ELL funding, special education services, and out-of-district placements added another $1,565,016. These unavoidable costs alone total $3,557,438, leaving only $374,393 to cover all other rising expenses, including utilities.

A 4% budget increase, rather than 3%, would significantly minimize staff reductions. Given the unusually high increase in the costs in transportation and special education, this increase is both reasonable and necessary. We also urge the city and school district to negotiate with First Student for a more manageable rate adjustment.