Crime & Safety

Meth Lab Mom Is Part-Time Lunch Monitor for Elementary School

Melissa Champagne has been placed on administrative leave from her part-time district job.

A woman charged by Nashua Police Feb. 13 in connection with a meth lab operation inside her home was working part-time for the school district.

Melissa Champagne was charged by Nashua Police with two felony counts of prohibited conduct on Feb. 13. Her husband, Raymond Champagne, was charged with manufacture of methamphetamine; and two counts of prohibited conduct.

The prohibited conduct charges are related to the fact that the alleged drug operations were being conducted while the couple's two children, both under the age of 12, were inside the home.

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Nashua School Superintendent Mark Conrad confirmed that Melissa Champagne is employed by the district as a lunch monitor for Charlotte Avenue Elementary School. She has been employed by the district since Oct. 18, 2012.

"Melissa has been placed on administrative leave pending the District’s own investigation," said Conrad, Thursday.

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Champagne was being paid $10.78 per hour, earning $134.75 for 12.5 hours weekly work at the school.

He said the district pursued the normal procedures in hiring Champagne, including completing the criminal background check required of all employees. 

Conrad said there are no discussions taking place at this time regarding a drug testing policy for district employees.

"I would note that bus drivers employed through First Student participate in a drug-testing program as required by federal law for employees with commercial drivers licenses," Conrad said.


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