Andover School Committee approves AESA pact and two non‑union contracts; chair authorized to sign

The Andover School Committee on Dec. 12 unanimously approved three personnel contracts and authorized the chair to sign them on the district’s behalf.

The committee voted to ratify a three‑year memorandum of agreement (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2027) with the Andover Educational Secretaries Association (AESA). The administration summarized the MOA as aligning benefits (bereavement, parental leave, family/sick time and union rights), clarifying certain contractual language, and providing a 5% wage increase consistent with other bargaining units. The motion was moved and seconded, and the roll-call vote was unanimous.

The committee also approved two non‑union personnel contracts. It voted to approve a four‑year contract (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2029) for Keith Taverna, assistant superintendent for finance and administration, with an FY26 salary stated at $183,521; the contract includes a 403(b) committee match ($1,500 per contract year) and an increased travel allowance ($250/month). The committee then approved a three‑year contract (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2028) for Nancy Koch, executive director of special services, with an FY26 salary of $170,785 and benefits aligned with other district units.

All votes were taken by roll call and passed unanimously. Following approval the committee also voted to authorize the chair to sign the employment contracts on behalf of the school committee.

Why it matters: the personnel votes lock in compensation and benefit terms that feed into the FY26 budget discussion presented at the same meeting. Committee members publicly thanked staff and the bargaining team for an expedited and collaborative negotiation process.

Provenance: motions introduced and voted from SEG 2755–2769 (AESA MOA), SEG 2865–2871 and SEG 2876–2885 (Taverna contract), SEG 2961–2966 and SEG 2973–2981 (Koch contract) and SEG 2986–3006 (authorize chair to sign).