Auburn School Committee approves paid family and medical leave policy for first reading

The Auburn School Committee on May 6 approved policy AUB GBQ — the district's paid family and medical leave policy — for a first reading, moving the proposal forward for additional formal consideration.

The item was presented as a new policy designed to implement Maine's paid family and medical leave statute. Committee members and staff said the policy largely mirrors existing language in the teachers' contract and emphasized the policy text now includes an explicit 120‑day employment eligibility reminder. "It was suggested it be at the beginning even though it was in the statute," a staff member explained, adding the change was intended as a clarifying note for employees.

Committee discussion focused on how state benefits interact with district leave and paid time off. A staff member described the mechanics: "The paid family medical leave only covers a certain percent. It really depends on what their weekly wages are to tell them what the state will cover. ... If they have paid time off, we can supplement that percent from the state to cover their daily rate," the staff member said, summarizing options for employees who want to use PTO during leave.

A committee member noted the policy was not intended to change current practice: "So no change in policy, just optics on where it presents in the policy," they said, and other members confirmed the proposal aligns with the teacher contract.

Adam Platt moved the policy for a first reading; the motion carried. The committee did not record an amended vote tally in the transcript.

Next steps: the policy was advanced as a first reading and will return to the committee for subsequent consideration per the district's policy-adoption process.