October HSA Payments Update

Last week, I informed NTU members that the City had notified me that October HSA payments would be deposited sometime this week. On Friday morning, I received confirmation that this process has begun, and the funds should be available within a few days, however, this is still late. 

According to all of our contracts, HSA contributions are to be distributed in two installments: “one on or about July 1 and one on or about October 1.” If you recall, last July’s HSA payments were also significantly delayed; in fact, teachers on the 22-pay schedule didn’t receive theirs until late July. Following that delay, I sent a letter to the City expressing my disappointment with their failure to meet the contractual deadline. You can read that letter here: July Letter to City HR.

If this issue were with the District, I would have filed a grievance. However, the problem lies with the City Human Resources Department. This time, rather than act alone, I’ve teamed up with the other City unions—representing firefighters, custodians, and librarians—who are facing the same issue due to identical contract language.

On Tuesday, we sent a joint email to City HR requesting a meeting to resolve this matter once and for all. Unfortunately, City HR has ignored our request. I have since reached out to Mayor Donchess and asked him to intervene. I spoke with him directly, and he assured me that he would speak with the Department and follow up with me. 


Student Handbooks

A lot of important information about school policies and rules isn’t found in the collective bargaining agreement—it’s in your school’s student handbook. Because these handbooks are approved by the School Board, everyone who works in your school is required to follow them.

You’ll find key details such as bell schedules, field trip policies, dress codes, grading systems, and health and wellness standards in your school’s handbook. If you haven’t reviewed it recently, I strongly encourage you to do so.

For instance, there have been cases where newer principals have provided incorrect information about the start and end times of the school day—topics that are addressed in all four NTU contracts and your school’s handbook. A quick review of the handbook can help clear up any such misunderstandings.

You can find a complete list of student handbooks here:

NSD Handbooks

Recent Joint NTU/Management Meeting on Special Education

Several elementary-level special educators—particularly those in intensive needs programs—have not been receiving their contractual planning and lunch time. The issue has been both widespread and complex. In many schools, principals have had to submit special payroll requests to compensate special educators for missed planning periods because they were unable to find coverage.

To the District’s credit, they acknowledged the problem and arranged a meeting with the NTU, several affected special educators, and their principals to discuss solutions. After some productive discussion, management decided that all elementary principals should meet with their special educators to develop a coverage plan for those who are chronically missing their lunch or planning time. These meetings are expected to take place this week.

The superintendent also requested that these plans include a clear protocol outlining how special educators will be compensated if coverage is not possible due to staff absences. If you are a special educator at the elementary level who frequently misses your lunch or planning time, please ensure your principal meets with you to create a plan.

We also discussed the District’s new requirement for completing service logs for students with IEPs. While this is something the District should have been doing previously, it is especially important to do so now, as the department may be audited this year.

That said, there has been understandable confusion around the process:

• Who is required to complete the logs?

• Who provides the necessary training?

• What forms should be used?

• Which services need to be logged?

The District recognizes that the current system needs improvement. As a result, the NTU and the District are forming a joint team to review and refine the service log protocols. Our goal is to create a system that is simple, consistent, and not overly time-consuming for educators.

2024-2025 Middle School Education Council Study: Findings and Results Presentation

Last year, the middle schools underwent significant changes program to its program. To evaluate the impact of these changes, the NTU, through the Education Council, conducted a study and compiled the results into a report submitted to the School Board in June.

At my request, the School Board has scheduled a presentation of these findings for October 27th at 6:00 p.m. at Nashua High School North. I encourage all middle school staff to attend. There will likely be an opportunity for public comment for those who wish to share additional perspectives.

Because some of the changes introduced at the middle schools—such as the push-in model for special education—are now being implemented at the high schools, I also encourage high school staff to attend as well.

If you have not yet reviewed the full survey report, you can find it here:

Education Council Report to the Board of Education: Changes to the Middle Schools for the 2024-2025 School Year


AFT-NH Vision Insurance

AFT-NH offers VSP Vision Care as a member-only benefit. Open enrollment begins September 29, 2025, and runs through October 24, 2025.  

Open enrollment is for any AFT-NH member or retiree interested in joining the AFT-NH VSP Vision Care plan. Only new sign-ups need to fill out an enrollment form. *Existing AFT-NH VSP Vision Care members will receive a renewal invoice in the mail.

AFT-NH VSP Vision Care covers:

• an annual eye exam with only a $10 copay

• a $25 copay on eyeglasses

  • an allowance of $120 towards the cost of eyeglass frames/contact lenses

  • savings on the cost of eyeglass lenses

  • discounts on lens coatings and enhancements

  • an average savings of $489 per year - Try the savings calculator to see what you could save on glasses or contacts: VSP Vision Care Savings Calculator

• essential medical eyecare to manage specific medical issues

• a wide network of participating eye doctors

• discounts on online glasses and contacts through Eyeconic: eyeconic.com

For more information on benefits and discounts, please visit the VSP Vision Care website at: vsp.com

2025-2026 Annual AFT-NH Vision Care Rates:

Member:    $180.40

Member + 1:  $257.08

Family:       $452.92

The plan runs from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026. AFT-NH bills annually, in one lump sum, for our VSP Vision Care plan. 

Interested in joining AFT-NH VSP Vision Care? 

• Print and complete this open enrollment form: AFT-NH VSP Vision Care Open Enrollment Form 2025

• Send your completed open enrollment form and check made payable to AFT-NH VSP to:
  AFT-NH
  785 Route 3A Unit 102
  Bow, NH 03304

Questions? Comments? Need Assistance?  Contact a member of the Executive Board

Trying to email Gary? Make sure to use president@nashuatu.org