During a recent meeting of the Nashua Board of Education, former board member Paula Johnson addressed the board regarding her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson, who has a recognized medical exemption that prevented her from wearing a mask, expressed her frustration over the lack of accommodations provided by the district.

In her statement, Johnson recounted feeling humiliated and discriminated against when her medical exemption was not acknowledged during board meetings. She highlighted that her situation was not only a personal grievance but also a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandates reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Johnson's comments shed light on the broader implications of pandemic-related policies and their enforcement, particularly concerning individuals with health issues. Her call for respect and recognition of medical exemptions underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those navigating public health mandates in educational settings.