At a public bargaining session with the North Andover School Committee subcommittee, the union representing teaching assistants presented a broad package of proposals — including increasing parental leave to 16 weeks, new stipends for toileting and specialized programs, enhanced health-and-safety reporting, a $50,000 tuition fund and a request for a first wage offer — and the parties signed ground rules and scheduled follow-up meetings.
The North Andover School Committee on Jan. 29 accepted two Booster Club checks — $22,493.40 for stadium lighting work and $12,428.48 for a replacement utility vehicle — to support athletic field upkeep and operations.
On Jan. 29 the committee voted to forward a $72.2 million superintendent recommendation and to use $1.5 million of anticipated circuit‑breaker funds to support added staff and expenses, producing a near‑term program total discussed at roughly $73.7 million.
The North Andover School Committee voted Jan. 29 to start the 2026–27 school year on Wednesday, Sept. 2 (teachers report Aug. 31) and amended the calendar to designate Juneteenth (observed) on June 18 as a holiday recognition.
At its Jan. 15 meeting the committee accepted a $32,000 DESE deeper-learning grant and a $30,000 earmark for vape detectors, approved an overnight robotics trip to Colorado Springs and approved the North Andover High School program of studies as presented.
Officials said the Kittredge School application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority is in good standing and that town meeting will need to appropriate debt for the project; the town manager presented a financing option that the panel expects will avoid a debt exclusion but will require a town meeting vote.
The North Andover School Committee heard the superintendent's FY27 recommended budget, which totals about $72.2 million and uses $1.5 million of anticipated circuit-breaker reimbursement to close a funding gap. The plan preserves services, adds several positions and funds technology and transportation needs; public commenters urged a clearer multi-year staffing plan.
The committee approved the consent agenda, received an MSBA update on the Kittredge Elementary project that will appear at Town Meeting for debt authorization, and took first reads on a robotics trip and the high school program of studies; public commenters urged the committee to pursue an earlier override rather than rely on circuit-breaker funds.
Superintendent Lathrop presented a FY27 recommended budget that preserves current services and adds staff for special education and early learning; the plan uses $1.5 million of an anticipated $2.5 million circuit-breaker reimbursement to reduce a projected gap and sets the stage for an FY28 override campaign.
Superintendent Lathrop presented a preliminary FY2027 budget overview on Dec. 18, saying the town-manager’s recommended 4.05% increase could bring the school budget toward about $72.2 million; administration highlighted class‑size pressures at Franklin, planned additional bus service needs, and a timeline of public hearings and votes in January.
