Decision on high school boundaries shelved until 2004

NASHUA – People waiting to hear about the finalized boundaries between the city’s north and south high schools will have to wait a little longer.

A plan before the board of education Monday night that would send about 150 students living in the neighborhoods around Sunset Heights Elementary School to the north school next year was shelved until the start of 2004.

That will give school administrators time to answer more questions and even develop an alternative plan, if they choose to.

Whatever plan that is put forth will need to be reintroduced at the school district’s Support Services subcommittee before it reaches the full school board again.

The plan was devised to give more balance between the north and south schools, which will open to ninth through 12th graders for the first time ever at the start of the next school year.

Without a change, Nashua High South is expected to have about 2,250 students next year, while Nashua High North is expected to have about 1,900, according to school officials.

However, at a public hearing earlier this month most people who spoke about the plan opposed it.

Currently, all children who live north of the Nashua River as well as those who live within the boundaries of the Dr. Crisp neighborhoods will go to the north high school. All other students living south of the Nashua River would attend the south high school by the start of the next school year.

Because the plan will be reintroduced after January 1, it will be made by the next board of education, which will include newly elected members Jack Kelley and Mary Ann Melizzi Golja.