North Andover officials propose new FTE and scheduling changes as teaching assistants press for higher pay

The North Andover School Committee negotiations subcommittee and representatives of the teaching-assistant bargaining unit met to continue collective-bargaining discussions, with the district outlining proposed changes to FTE definitions, workday schedules and attendance rules and union representatives presenting fiscal data and worker testimony calling for higher pay.

District representatives framed their presentation as an effort to align staffing to student needs and to create a consistent basis for employment classifications. "The North Andover School Committee and the district leadership value the important role that teaching assistants play in our schools every day," Miss Cormier said, asking the meeting to focus on both the contributions of TAs and the district's operational needs. Superintendent Lethre detailed role definitions (general-education TAs, special-education TAs, specialized-program TAs and health aides) and argued the district needs flexibility to assign staff as student needs change.

The district highlighted schedule mismatches it says create supervision gaps. Officials noted that bus arrival and homeroom times often precede current TA…