After a year of negotiations, education support professionals in the Cumberland-North Yarmouth School district have a new union contract. 

The Maine School Administrative District 51 Board of Directors and the MSAD 51 Education Association, the union representing some staff in the Cumberland-North Yarmouth school district, have been haggling over a collective bargaining agreement since April 2025. On Wednesday, the board voted to approve the new contract, which will last until July 2028.

Working without a contract since July 1, district ed techs and administrative assistants — a title change fought for and achieved in the contract to replace the term “secretaries” — sought pay raises to bring them closer to neighboring school districts, a change in the pay scale to shorten the number of years required to reach top earnings, and changes to sick time and pay differentials. 

The most significant changes in the new contract are wage increases. Staff under the contract will receive back pay retroactive to July 2025. Ed techs will also receive an additional $25 per day when substituting for teachers.

The time it takes to make the upper end of wages is also changing. For each year of the three-year contract, the wage scale that formerly took 22 years to climb will be shortened by a year from 17 years down to 15.

“This contract represents the strength, unity, and hard work of our members. We stood together during a challenging process to advocate for fairness and respect,” shared Lulu Balzano-Brookes and Margaret McDevitt, both ed techs and lead contract negotiators, in a statement on behalf of the Education Association. 

Board Chair Leanne Candura shared that the board was pleased to reach the agreement.

“The Board recognizes and deeply appreciates the essential work that members of this bargaining unit do each day in support of our students, staff, and schools. Their contributions are valued, and their commitment to our community does not go unnoticed,” wrote Candura.

Following failed contract mediation in December with a third party, in the months since the Education Association turned to the community for support. On Feb. 3, union members picketed outside the district’s central office, drawing honks from families picking up their children from school. On March 5, dozens of ed techs, administrative assistants and their supporters brought their signs and comments before the board of directors. 

“(The contract) also speaks to the incredible support from our community. Their voices and efforts played a big part in helping us reach this fair resolution,” wrote Balzano-Brookes and McDevitt.