Nashua budget cuts threaten schools: 70 teachers at risk with FY26

On February 11, Mayor Jim Donchess held a Board of Aldermen meeting to discuss the Fiscal year 2026 budget for the Nashua community expected to be released on May 1. FY26 proposes a 5.64 percent overall budget increase with an operational budget of 3.5 percent which was lowered to 3 percent.

In FY25, the provided operational budget was 1.9 percent higher than what is currently being proposed. This will cause significant changes in different public departments in Nashua, such as the fire, police, education, etc.

Some departments, like transportation, will not be affected because of tighter budget constraints. According to FY26, transportation is expected to increase by 21.9 percent further lowering the possibilities of the education department’s budget. Mario Andrade stated that only personnel cuts will have a significant effect, driving up to 70 staff members to be out of jobs after this school year.

Nashua High School North’s population is concerned about what this budget means for the school’s future. “We are an excellent school district because of the variety of programs, electives, and teachers we have available for students,” said NHSN math teacher Kristen Ellspermann. “If we cut that many positions, I am afraid it will negatively impact students in many ways.” Ellspermann feels that the English department will take the largest hit, despite that it’s the one required class every year at NHSN.

Senior class Vice President Madelyn Zellers is worried about how the staffing cuts will affect students in the upcoming years. She stated, “Our school will suffer from the losses of many amazing teachers which would have helped so many future students.” She feels that our district will be faced with consequences if the budget passes.

Senior class Treasure Julia Saucier is also concerned for the future of NHSN. “I’m worried about the opportunities that will be available with future classes at North,” says Saucier.

Students and staff feel that other cuts within the district can be made besides personnel. After hearing Andrade’s position on where the cuts must be made, Saucier disagreed, “There are definitely other avenues we can take. We can look at sports or programs in the schools with lower involvement and whatever classes have lower enrollment.”

North Andover, Mass. is facing similar cuts, causing a $3.3 million deficit in funding. On Monday, March 17 students of North Andover High School staged a walkout to protest the cuts.

Students like Saucier and Zellers advocated against the budget, with North Andover senior Ashley Beasley stating, “I’ll do the work some other time. But for now, I have to support my teachers because they have supported me.”

According to numerous New England news sources, other districts are facing similar budget deficits: 1.2 million deficit in Chelsea, Mass; 4.2 million in Melrose, Mass; and 3 million in Amherst, N.H..

As the expected deadline of May 1 approaches for FY26, members of NHSN, alongside other schools, are working to further express their disagreements with the planned budget.