Auburn School Department unveils proposed budget of $64.7M for 2025-2026

The City of Auburn, Maine, held a School Committee Workshop and Meeting on March 5, 2025, focusing on the proposed operating budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting began with introductions from committee members and a motion to approve the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting, which passed unanimously.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to presenting the proposed budget, which totals $64,718,893, reflecting a 4.2% increase from the previous year. The budget process has been ongoing since November, with discussions about budget projections, class sizes, and cost increases. The committee emphasized transparency throughout the budget development, ensuring all documents and discussions are accessible on the school district's website.

Key cost drivers for the budget include a projected $1.1 million increase in health insurance costs, attributed to a 15% rate hike and more employees opting into the district's health plan. Additionally, special education costs are expected to rise by $1.3 million due to increased student needs and tuition for out-of-district placements.

The meeting also outlined the timeline for the budget process, including upcoming discussions on various cost centers, public hearings, and the final approval dates. The committee aims to maintain current staffing levels while developing a baseline budget without expanding services or programs, a strategy supported by an increase in state subsidy.

As the meeting progressed, building principals began presenting their specific budget needs, starting with East Auburn School, which anticipates a slight decrease in enrollment for the next academic year. The committee will continue to review additional cost centers in the coming weeks, with a public hearing scheduled for April 2 and a joint budget workshop with the city council on April 7.

The discussions from this meeting highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the Auburn School Department in balancing budgetary constraints with the need to provide quality education and support for students. The committee's commitment to transparency and community engagement will be crucial as they navigate the budget approval process in the months ahead.