North Andover (MA) School Committee - November 5, 2026

The North Andover School Committee meeting on November 5, 2026, included financial and facilities updates but no vendor selections, contract awards, or bid approvals. The committee was informed that the school construction project remained on budget, had not used contingency funds, and was slightly ahead of schedule; demolition of the old building is expected in early spring. A proposed roadway redesign would add a dedicated bus lane. Theater lighting has been installed, HVAC-control work is ongoing, and the Franklin playground installation is targeted for spring. The committee also received notice of a continuation Safe and Supportive Schools grant, with formal details to be presented at a future meeting; no grant amount was stated. It reviewed accounts-payable warrants S101926 and S110226, which were to be signed as part of the consent process, and payroll warrants SS2709 and SS2710, which the chair reported approving.

The committee voted to suspend its usual policy timeline and approved adding one permanent, full-time board-certified behavior analyst, authorizing recruitment and hiring at an estimated FY2027 cost of $80,000. The cost will be funded by transferring existing out-of-district tuition budget funds to a salary line; approval of the specific transfer was expected at a later meeting. The committee also held a first read of budget directives, with revisions requested, and discussed presenting a five-year capital plan. No budget or capital-plan approval was taken at this meeting.