Nashua Budget Review Committee Meeting on School Principal Contract and Budget Concerns - April 27, 2026
Nashua Budget Review Committee Meeting - April 27, 2026
The Budget Review Committee of Nashua, New Hampshire, met on April 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall to consider a collective bargaining agreement with the Nashua Association of School Principals (NASP) and to hear public comments on the mayor's proposed budget. The meeting was duly noticed and chaired by Chairman Otterman Dow. Members present included Alderman Johnson, Autumn Cable, Alderman O'Brien, Alderman Senate, and others. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bill Ferrio (35 Inrock Road) criticized the mayor's budget book for lacking historical actuals, stating it was "useless" for review. He noted that the mayor's chief of staff, Megan, initially refused to provide a spreadsheet but later did, and that the budget book includes a photo of trash but no financial data. He urged the committee to reject the budget and demand actuals.
- Lori Ordelano concurred with Ferrio, calling the budget book "absurd" and the finance office a "dumpster fire." She demanded salary transparency, criticized the lack of spend-down data, and questioned the legal budget and overlay account for assessing. She claimed $40 million in fat in the budget and urged the committee to scrutinize management positions.
Discussion Items
- ORD-26-021: Collective Bargaining Agreement with NASP – The committee reviewed a four-year contract (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030) covering approximately 42 principals and assistant principals. Key provisions:
- Year 1 (FY2027): 3% increase for most employees, with a higher increase for assistant elementary principals to aid retention and recruitment; elimination of some steps, resulting in a 10-step pay scale.
- Years 2-4: Approximately 2.5% increase per year.
- Assistant elementary principals' work year extended from 199 to 204 days (5 additional days).
- Educational benefits: up to $500 per employee per year for professional development, capped at $20,000 if all eligible participate.
- Total year 1 increase: 6.02% (including benefits), with base pay increase of 5.7%. Year-over-year percentage increases (excluding benefits) were approximately 3.4%, 3.3%, and 3.5%.
- Alderman Johnson expressed concern about long-term affordability, noting that high starting percentages set a precedent for other unions and that salary and benefits constitute 80-85% of the city budget. She stated she would not support the contract.
- Alderman Senate asked about a flat line in costs from FY2028 to FY2029; Mr. Gray explained it was due to longevity payouts.
- Budget Book Concerns – Alderman Johnson noted that the summary budget lacked actuals, making it difficult to assess spending. She requested spend-down data as of March 31 and May 31, and emphasized the need for nonpartisan work. Chairman indicated that the requested information would be provided to the board.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on ORD-26-021: A motion to recommend final passage was made and carried. The vote was recorded as "Aye" (majority) with one "Nay" (Alderman Johnson). The committee recommended the full board approve the contract.
- Next Steps: The board will receive additional budget data, including actuals and spend-down figures, as requested by Alderman Johnson. The mayor's budget will be subject to further review.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Bristol. You're on mute. All right, let's try this time. Can you hear me? I can hear you. Yep. Okay. All right. I'd like to call the budget review committee to order. It's April 27th, 2026. We're in City Hall. It's 7 p.m. The in the automatic chamber, and the meeting's been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA 91-A. Would the clerk please call the rule? Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Alderman Johnson. Present. Autumn Cable. I am here. Other than here. Woman Kelly. Altuman O'Brien is present. Otherwise Senate, I'm here. And Chairman Otterman Dow present. Okay. Yeah, also in attendance. COO of the school department. Paula Johnson. Yeah. I already called sure. Okay. First item on the agenda is public comment for only something that's on the act being acted on this evening on the agenda. And that is the school principal's contract. We won't be discussing anything else. Is there any public comment? Seeing none. Communications. There are none. Unfinished business. There is none. New business resolutions before us this evening is odd-26-021. Approving the cost items of a collective bargaining agreement between a National Board of Education and the National Association of School Principals from July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2030. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make the motion to recommend final passage. Motion on the floor is recommendational passage. Sure, thank you. You can hear me okay now. Yes.
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