[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6622202,"mediaKeyId","2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347","parentId",2787364,"title","School Committee authorizes facilities subcommittee to develop plan to move sixth grade to Auburn Middle School","audioSeconds",280,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",3880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347&start=3600&end=3880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622202/Maine/School-Committee-authorizes-facilities-subcommittee-to-develop-plan-to-move-sixth-grade-to-Auburn-Middle-School","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622202-173221bd8b48c8ad506b9aa897a91702/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134786&Signature=ejOrw5w02L0Gbq-p3gdl4cd-pc7SIEatrj1Fvndjyq6-xN47ZqH5MUp6mIvbW7cAnEkwLdKOMpTEjpRVEMkCcC8Dm-gkCHV23B9BPLFFjcZ5tuqlEvjT0WUrwsjBs6wdd722Y-QydsY-0QbIj45lsxCg2NREWfggp22tbliUpgaGutH~DmYjiihpGkjL4QenfMOWoCExbInWHAql75tDvrzyEVoUrB5qNzV6krfecgPn~SjKyEBE3QJS5hjki0XRJ2hy9XTrj2mCjFKwoHofTH0on~kkogRsDIIBDGbYLzuwojHUH0Tr4ziCa9dbPEQRmh7Aqs4sX8LzE~~sLoBquQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Auburn Public Schools","date","2025-03-26T23:12:34.457Z","article","The Auburn School Committee on March 26 voted to authorize the Facilities Subcommittee to develop plans and recommendations to expand Auburn Middle School to include sixth grade.

Committee members and subcommittee representatives said the recommendation follows months of work by the facilities advisory committee, review of the Harriman report, and enrollment projections. The goal stated by supporters is to align sixth-grade students with a middle-school model both academically and developmentally and to free classroom space in elementary schools for future reconfiguration.

Committee discussion identified topics the subcommittee must address in follow-up work, including transportation, food service, technology, band and other specials, scheduling, and how extracurricular offerings would be affected. A subcommittee member noted that the initial recommendation estimated reconfiguring existing space at Auburn Middle School could create the needed classrooms and that an addition might not be necessary; the committee said architects and further study will refine that estimate.

Chair called for the motion to authorize the Facilities Subcommittee; the motion carried. Members said the subcommittee will form an ad hoc sixth-grade inclusion committee and return with a plan and recommendations.

Ending: The Facilities Subcommittee will proceed to form an ad hoc committee and develop detailed plans, including architectural study, transportation implications and programming adjustments to support a sixth-grade move to Auburn Middle School.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Auburn, Maine, School Committee Meeting, March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Auburn School Committee on March 26 authorized the Facilities Subcommittee to develop plans and recommendations to expand Auburn Middle School to include sixth grade; committee members said initial estimates indicate reconfiguration rather than an addition may suffice.","taxTitle","Auburn Public Schools, School Districts, Maine","taxId",66949,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622206,"Superintendent to revisit early-dismissal policy after storm left heavier snow and longer bus runs",296,2923000,3219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347&start=2923&end=3219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347/thumbnail_2923000.jpg","/articles/6622206/Maine/Superintendent-to-revisit-early-dismissal-policy-after-storm-left-heavier-snow-and-longer-bus-runs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622206-db832bfd3350554721cb7d2b4e532a93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134786&Signature=aJSHXXoKZJUCKE7BGtvKdZbTjGSzSeqDprq308q57AA1tuMiSwaqNVt8EmAJMdXdvpj5xMB1XoRE0t72dXRCixm3~rN8r1ZJDr2utNwUR55VYAUnzzBvfxzY61JuK412JzjBcI1Dkezg1chEqJqk85BTinyFmMwsCUPP-qd1c94h9BwedUzuG7UdMfSuXiP2WME5IN4-SJN~TaD6E0b5Jq6c1-ykcEfO1hlkS1T4Z8PiaCYT-pvVbGap0won-VTAba43T6RGlZSheBhcclveW94y9cYlzSwvMI5zxhqcu6KZffdEvBPWGvXF233sNrgeYJ13d1mH6ys-MG~8F0T9GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Sue Doris told the Auburn School Committee on March 26 that the district's response to a recent snowstorm will prompt a policy review and renewed emphasis on family communication and coordination with Public Works.

Doris said the district had expected a forecast of 1 to 3 inches of snow turning to rain overnight, and therefore held a regular school day; the storm delivered closer to 5 to 6 inches, which prolonged bus runs and made dismissal more difficult. She read policy language the district currently follows: \"the option to dismiss school early will only be used when there are extremely unusual circumstances,\" and said the committee should consider whether to add clearer early-dismissal language to the policy and to bring the topic to the policy subcommittee.

Doris and Assistant Superintendent Scott Inier described post-storm coordination with public works and transportation. Doris praised the transportation staff and drivers and singled out Transportation Director Dave Fontaine for his work during the event. Inier emphasized that, if the district chooses to use early dismissal more often, it must strengthen communication so families can build backup plans and be ready to receive students on short notice.

Committee members raised concerns about sidewalk clearance and pedestrian safety when students walk to and from school. Doris said she attends pre-storm meetings with public works and that custodial and public-works coordination around removal and on-site snow/ice treatment is part of ongoing planning.

Ending: The district will bring policy language and communication plans to the policy subcommittee for review and consider communication-platform changes ahead of next school year.","Following a storm that dropped more snow than forecast, Superintendent Sue Doris told the Auburn School Committee on March 26 the district will re-examine its early-dismissal policy and communications to families to reduce future transportation risk.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622212,"School Committee moves FY26 budget forward to public hearing; proposal relies on fund balance and requests 3.5% tax-levy increase",1647,1283000,2930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347&start=1283&end=2930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347/thumbnail_1283000.jpg","/articles/6622212/Maine/School-Committee-moves-FY26-budget-forward-to-public-hearing-proposal-relies-on-fund-balance-and-requests-35-tax-levy-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622212-f13dd7a07372a22bda651eabf0d7b51c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134786&Signature=dNEheHbiDpMbutWGDCMh-NMH9HWoQh3EBdfQG6D5p1ii5az02Uuva~~OAQ-vH~GzyeejrA4tpq78CCGuvRtTNsWW448U5dh0LbGiaiURO9AgDb6vbiJFzXJ7HMgCwcmWtMeu8HYeklOPUMmU3cxM2KKbfzVuklXn9PD3GktYQOXl2OD-ZE6BbKt0AVyFxSYrA7dC8-4nxxb5aELgSAb83Ada5diN-uLBqSt7iskMW-345gsFD4RvCJQFWuCbm~eZphxME4J4D~VmKwOb2~ilejWWjvbJRZltHOvQrDUxCNgehcl4k~dGtblGw9nxQB8JC4yIDo-L6lw5thYnqAKW6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn School Committee on March 26 voted a straw poll to move the proposed FY2026 Auburn School Department budget forward to the public hearing scheduled for April 2 and to the joint discussion with the Auburn City Council on April 7.

Amanda Kuchar, Auburn Public Schools business manager, presented budget details and said the department is requesting a $729,000 increase in the local assessment and that the general fund shows approximately a $2.5 million increase driven by enrollment growth, higher free-and-reduced-lunch and MLL counts, health insurance and negotiated contracts. Kuchar said the department's local request averages about a 3.6% increase on the local share; committee discussion and a city council representative described the school-side proposal as a 3.5% tax-levy increase.

Kuchar outlined fund-balance planning and explained audit timing and state limits. She said the FY24 audit was not yet final but the district is projecting an unallocated fund balance near $5 million and proposed using $1.75 million toward FY26 revenue. \"Prior to COVID, you saw much smaller numbers being used for the fund balance. We're trying to kind of get ourselves back into that habit,\" Kuchar told the committee.

Committee members and Adam Platt, the city council representative, discussed likely city-level pressure to reduce the combined tax-levy increase. Platt said city staff and councilors were aiming to limit a combined taxpayer increase to a maximum of 5% and that the city's budget side at the time was driving a larger share of the levy increase. He said councilors would propose cuts and some may set different targets for the schools when the council meets.

Committee members pressed on drivers of the increase, including special-education costs, health insurance and negotiated contracts; Kuchar said insurance numbers were expected the following week. Members also asked about restoring a math-coach position; Kuchar said Title grant funds (Title II) could be a possible source if allocations permit and that adding such a position would cost about $100,000.

Chair (Auburn School Committee) then called for a straw-poll vote to move the proposed FY26 budget forward for the public hearing and the joint City Council discussion. The committee voted in favor of advancing the proposal; committee members noted the straw poll is not a final budget approval, and the item will return after public comment and the city council workshop.

Ending: The committee will present the proposed FY26 budget at a public hearing on April 2 and discuss it with the City Council on April 7; final budget adoption will follow subsequent public processes.","On March 26 the Auburn School Committee voted a straw poll to present the proposed FY2026 Auburn School Department budget at a public hearing; the department's proposal includes a roughly 3.5% tax-levy increase and would use $1.75 million of the fund balance as part of revenue planning.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622216,"Auburn Adult Education cites enrollment gains, workforce partnerships; grant-funded coordinator extended through 2025",308,127000,435000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347&start=127&end=435","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787364-1502d6b4b77b19c47f8386676dcbb347/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/6622216/Maine/Auburn-Adult-Education-cites-enrollment-gains-workforce-partnerships-grant-funded-coordinator-extended-through-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622216-727d0597dfc84b735d0e878ced0c86a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134786&Signature=PN7HAjOAz2V6cqHxTXvtZxFb0rEITC6amH6FQbvblQirhWvjCezZkFhcuyjKxVuFssdOoU90kNwT~SPnazq~qSWH0FtiPghnz6MO7jsd9cupOXG0GBS3IjsLmVK8SAKXkypdp2q6HG-~cu16bprf6BnXYK9slyZik5pOuqMqpD-sAu27CbAiPmD3w-sox817SB1dmAKX6VG4k-kaugKKZqfoP42wI7jdyYezstLtVoua64uqk6gwuSSkl1DNopbaCtqH6nb857nEONiROySpuWy6Hm5WLtyFxwRR8HYjB-g6HCK2-T1u-WdWGUvxQND2gavH0ltkZ-rHvYnLDpDIDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jen Tyner, director of the Auburn Adult Education Program, told the Auburn School Committee on March 26 that the program was recognized this year as a high-performing program within the regional hub covering Androscoggin and Oxford counties.

Tyner said the program met three of four state benchmarks used to judge adult education programs. \"We increased enrollment by more than 10% as a hub,\" she said, and the program exceeded the state target for measurable skill gain, reporting a 42% gain against a 39% target. In academic post-testing the program reported 75% success versus a 60% state target.

The presentation outlined three main program areas: academic preparation (HiSET and adult diploma pathways, adult basic education and English-language instruction), workforce training (on-site workplace literacy and vocational classes), and community enrichment classes held evenings at Edward Little High School. Tyner said the program has expanded employer-based workplace literacy, running two Panelam cohorts and a pilot at John F. Murphy (JFM) in Auburn, and added an English-language class at the Auburn Public Library.

Tyner described several workforce offerings that ran this year, including CNA training and recertifications, an Excel course with Sayre, culinary and kitchen-manager classes, and a scheduled food-handler session in April at JFM. She said the program is developing an EMT basics pathway for Auburn.

Tyner also described staffing and funding. Auburn adult education operates primarily from Edward Little High School with some daytime classroom space at the Central Office and other community partners (High Street Congregational Church, Auburn Public Library). The Auburn program has three full-time staff (a coordinator/advisor, a full-time teacher and an administrative assistant) plus a grant-funded workforce coordinator shared with Lewiston, Jerry Gibson. That workforce position originated with pandemic-era funds; Tyner said she secured an extension to keep the position through December 2025.

On funding, Tyner told the committee tuition and fee revenue has fallen from earlier, inflated figures because employers increasingly run their own CNA programs and because the program keeps class costs low to reduce barriers. She also explained that state adult education subsidy is calculated based on expenditures and can vary year-to-year; a staffing vacancy in 2024 reduced reported expenditures and therefore lowered subsidy for 2026.

Tyner noted the program serves a multilingual population from about 11 countries speaking eight languages, with Portuguese and French the largest groups represented. Enrollment snapshot numbers (taken in February 2025) included roughly 61 multilingual enrollees, 65 workforce enrollments and 82 community enrichment participants; Tyner said those figures remain open to change as enrollment is ongoing.

Tyner closed by highlighting continued community partnerships and the program's role in helping residents obtain credentials and employment, and reiterated plans to pursue the EMT basics class and ongoing CNA offerings.

Ending: Tyner said the program will continue to pursue employer partnerships and grant funding to sustain workforce programming and that the extended grant for the workforce coordinator runs through December 2025.","Director Jen Tyner told the Auburn School Committee on March 26 that Auburn Adult Education met three of four state outcome benchmarks, increased enrollment, and expanded workplace training; a grant-funded workforce coordinator has been extended through December 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School Committee authorizes facilities subcommittee to develop plan to move sixth grade to Auburn Middle School

Superintendent to revisit early-dismissal policy after storm left heavier snow and longer bus runs

School Committee moves FY26 budget forward to public hearing; proposal relies on fund balance and requests 3.5% tax-levy increase

Auburn Adult Education cites enrollment gains, workforce partnerships; grant-funded coordinator extended through 2025