School committee approves three-year administrative assistants contract with parental-leave wording change

The Norton School Committee voted April 30 to approve a three-year contract with the Norton Administrative Assistants Employees Association covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The agreement includes a new salary grid effective after June 30, 2025, housekeeping edits to remove outdated references, and a provision allowing administrative assistants to use half personal days.

The presenting staff member said the contract contains “a few, minor changes” and described it as a three-year agreement that updates the salary grid and adds flexibility for year-round staff. During discussion a committee member requested changing the term “maternity leave” in Article 22 to “parental leave” to ensure male administrative assistants can access the benefit; the presenter said that is a “language change” and “an easy fix.”

Committee members thanked negotiators Lisa Varney and Judy Lizzio for their work on the agreement. A motion to approve the contract with the proposed language change passed on a voice vote; the meeting record shows members responding “Aye.”

Separately, the committee tabled approval of the custodial department employees’ union contract because the final draft was not available at the meeting.