Committee, TA union trade contract counterproposals

School Committee · Meeting of October 7, 2026

North Andover's School Committee and Teaching Assistants union traded contract counterproposals October 7 without resolving wages or benefits. Committee counsel Colby Brunt said a "comprehensive financial response" covering wages, toileting duties and retirement match would come at the next session, after countering the union's parental-leave request with a 12-week structure and offering a $550 stipend for employees using two or fewer sick days. The committee rejected a classroom-support proposal tied to emotional distress, citing the state's recently revised seclusion regulation, 603 CMR 46.00, saying some union language "doesn't jibe with what the regulations require." It also declined to add workplace-dignity contract language, saying existing policy "handles exactly what is being raised." NEA representative Kevin Tierney said the union preferred to wait for the financial package before responding further.

The two sides scheduled additional TA bargaining sessions for November 4, January 5 and January 25.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,178 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.