[SchoolFinance] Inquiry: Use of Sick Leave Bank for Postpartum Recovery

[Andrea Disch]

We had a staff member raise a concern regarding the CBA language and
related practices, which led to counsel becoming involved.
We were advised that the matter was being treated as a discrimination
issue.



Andrea Disch

Business Manager


Maine School Administrative District No. 11
150 Highland Avenue • Gardiner, Maine 04330



207-582-5346

*aDisch at msad11.org <aDisch at msad11.org>*

*www.msad11.org <http://www.msad11.org>*





On Wed, Nov 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM Sherrie Proctor <
sherrie.proctor at lakeregionschools.org> wrote:

> Our verbiage states that it is not intended for maternity leave. We have
> not had anyone request or challenge this.
>
> Thank you,
> Sherrie Proctor
> Finance Coordinator
> M.S.A.D. #61
> 207.647.3048
> 207.647.5682 Fax
>
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>
> On Wed, Nov 12, 2025 at 10:46 AM Andrea Disch <adisch at msad11.org> wrote:
>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>>
>> I’m reaching out to ask whether any of your districts currently restrict
>> staff members recovering from childbirth—who lack sufficient personal sick
>> leave—from drawing time from an associated sick leave bank.
>>
>> Our current Collective Bargaining Agreement specifies that this is not
>> permitted. However, we were previously advised by counsel that prohibiting
>> employees from accessing the sick leave bank for postpartum recovery could
>> constitute discrimination, prompting a change in past practice.
>>
>> I’d appreciate learning whether others are facing similar language in
>> their agreements, and if so, how your districts are addressing it in
>> practice.
>>
>> Thank you in advance for any insights you can share.
>>
>> Best,
>> Andrea
>>
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