Nashua School Budget Cost Drivers

The Nashua Board of Education continues to build its budget for next year by reviewing and amending Superintendent Mark Conrad's original recommendation of $102,554,117.

Budget work sessions and a series of motions have reduced the proposed fiscal year 2015 budget to $100,698,192 ahead of a public hearing April 9.

Some of the budget cost drivers, according to Conrad's initial budget presentation, included a $1,010,543 increase in transportation costs, $125,750 more for natural gas costs, $275,557 in increased spending for special education out-of-district placements and therapy, and an increase in severance.

The board has already adjusted some of those line items. For example, the severance is being reduced from $800,000 to $700,000, and members voted to decrease the transportation contract by $460,000. Labor costs represent a big piece of the budget pie. Per a motion last month, the salary line may be reduced by $661,029.

The Board of Education budget public hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Nashua High School North. The budget committee plans to meet immediately after the hearing to take further action, and a special meeting of the Board of Education follows that for approval of the FY2015 operating budget.