Auburn School Committee ratifies food‑service contract, approves two policies for first reading

AUBURN, Maine — The Auburn School Committee voted Feb. 4 to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the Auburn Education Association Food Service Unit and approved first readings of a parent‑involvement policy and a community‑involvement procedure.

Chair Pamela Albert summarized the food‑service contract before the vote, calling it the product of a "collaborative and respectful bargaining process." She said the agreement provides a 3% annual wage increase for full‑time and part‑time food‑service employees, a multi‑year wage schedule intended to aid recruitment and retention, two additional sick days for full‑time employees, updated family and bereavement leave to reflect current law, and enhanced longevity benefits recognizing 35 and 40 years of service. The agreement also adds Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday.

"These employees play a critical role in ensuring students have access to safe, nutritious meals," Albert said as she described the committee's decision to ratify the contract. The committee voted to approve the agreement; the motion carried (tally not specified in the transcript).

On policy business, the committee approved Policy AUBKB (Parent Involvement in Education) for first reading with a minor wording change to replace "child/children" with "student/students." Committee member Jay Rich asked whether the use of the term "parent" was sufficiently inclusive of guardians, foster placements and other family arrangements. Superintendent Sue Doris said the policy references the district's FERPA policy for the fuller definition of "parent/guardian," explaining that subcommittees chose to reference a central definition rather than repeat it in each policy.

The committee also approved Procedure AUBKCB (Community Involvement and Decision Making) for first reading, agreeing to minor edits such as replacing the word "board" with "committee" where appropriate.

There was no public comment on the bargaining agreement. The committee noted upcoming budget meetings beginning March 4; the ratified contract and policy language may inform future budget and staffing discussions.