Teacher shortages to close Nashua schools Monday and Tuesday

Josie Albertson-Grove, The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester
·1 min read

Jan. 7—Nashua students will get an extra-long weekend after Friday's snow day — but they'll have to pay for it in June.

Schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 10 and 11, according to a statement from Interim Superintendent Garth McKinney, because the district will not have enough teachers, staff or substitutes.

Staff shortages had been piling up all week, with more than 200 teachers and staff out on Thursday, many because of COVID-19. Student absenteeism has also been high this year, McKinney said. He hoped everyone could benefit from a little break.

"We are looking for these additional days to make a difference in absenteeism, and for our students and staff to benefit from the added time home," McKinney said in a statement Friday.

There will not be remote learning on Monday or Tuesday: instead, the district is considering both days snow days.

Wednesday, Jan. 12, will still be an early-release day. Thursday and Friday are set to be full in-person school days.

Nashua has already used the snow days built into its school calendar, so to hit the state-required 180 days of in-person learning this year, school will be extended through June 20 at least.