Andover Teachers' Strike Ends with New Contract Agreement

Deal Includes Significant Salary Increases, But May Lead to Future Cuts in School Programs

The Andover School Committee and the Andover Education Association have reached a tentative agreement, ending a strike that had canceled classes for approximately 5,500 students.
The new contract includes a 15.5% salary increase for teachers and a 34% increase for instructional assistants over the next four years.
The agreement also provides eight weeks of fully paid parental leave, with the option to use an additional four weeks of accrued sick time.
The deal was reached after more than 60 hours of negotiations over five days, led by a state-appointed mediator.
Despite the agreement, the School Committee warns that the increased salaries will necessitate cuts to programs, services, and staff in the next school year.