[{"_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",6477149,"mediaKeyId","5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878","parentId",5713139,"title","Votes at a glance: Auburn School Committee approves handbooks, meeting and evaluation policies","audioSeconds",343,"startMs",3843000,"endMs",4186000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878&start=3843&end=4186","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878/thumbnail_3843000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477149/Maine/Votes-at-a-glance-Auburn-School-Committee-approves-handbooks-meeting-and-evaluation-policies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477149-5d21cd56493a4f4be4e8fb992de814be/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576176&Signature=berJl-HqHi9tj0IQ4yrVLM2RPphjzRB3o~GfWiRSqaJ0G46zIV2HeEUSwgRYSJJBHQ3bJnq7OwAuX5ZNPeZpdcCvYWyH5dFCxXPKCBKZSss1g5O93UMNUfrnXZV0J6rBDT4lw75sCNXVVmM4alrGQEYgqDGmJZaNJebbCgRqn9D9miW-oUy3Zj7KoVC9k16DIqrdQjM3LlGEac2nkETn8t6JBnWh~M087zbk7mpxxLDy9yfrcGbto0g-5qc7fvNWnXfohLgK1R1IkrMAi3GojHOqGIYfi-6kCWEtY4f0lp301O04Ro3XRlmg78NZhQyCHmODzwLlJeqgq0WrhV2ouQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Maine ","date","2025-09-02T23:22:24Z","article","The Auburn School Committee on Wednesday approved a set of operational documents and policies by voice vote, including the district student and family handbook, a first reading of the AUB CH student handbook policy, a first reading of the AUBBE school committee meetings policy, a first reading of the AUBBBAB school committee self‑evaluation policy and adoption of the school committee self‑evaluation instrument.

Consent agenda: The committee approved the consent agenda (which included the Aug. 20 minutes and a certified contract) by voice vote after a motion from Adam Platt and a second by a committee member; the chair announced the motion carried.

Handbook: The committee moved and approved adoption of the Auburn School Department student and family handbook after a brief discussion noting only minor contact‑person updates would be made as needed.

Policy first readings: The committee approved first readings for AUB CH (student handbook district policy), AUBBE (school committee meetings) and AUBBBAB (school committee self‑evaluation) to update language and reflect actual meeting practices such as treatment of vacation weeks and a single‑handbook district approach.

Self‑evaluation instrument: The committee approved the school committee self‑evaluation tool to be distributed via a Google survey; members said results will be collated and reviewed in a public workshop.

Ending: The chair listed upcoming meetings and announced the next regular meeting for Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Auburn, Maine, School Committee Meeting, September 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 3 meeting the Auburn School Committee approved the district student & family handbook, several policy first readings and the committee self‑evaluation tool; motions carried by voice vote as recorded in the meeting.","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},6477154,"Auburn outlines ALICE training, crosswalk upgrades and reunification planning ahead of drills",242,3421000,3663000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878&start=3421&end=3663","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878/thumbnail_3421000.jpg","/articles/6477154/Maine/Auburn-outlines-ALICE-training-crosswalk-upgrades-and-reunification-planning-ahead-of-drills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477154-df4f87cf565abf437d9892f94389f0a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576176&Signature=HaQLipBP-PRGdtesRrTIQJ~KuNFBf98bmRJgY6SpXgwD7pYclOw3SROVQ6A7OhRMWsB-agAph9qW51p0Smt0A3uA235vh4jNXtWm1AjTESS9J2k9jYhHR-8Xdl1j689z4YtFx-rZsU~tzZycUXU4hwBl~iTMOBbwj-NMX--AXnheRiz3w4JgiFszIvR-5eoZPgHrKJCH6B5hnyo~m8Z~L1ZROEWowYWgf56HMyuXqTRvpXj9xdIzU7S7bVioEHn6coIgQ5GAd8PHZ19CzlUV3JXKdxP9GjMlqTRiQrsVNxrt~3UYXaKyFT6ax5SxezUXfzQ87X9XMPsuK60MMDgL6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District safety staff updated the Auburn School Committee Wednesday on planned safety training and infrastructure improvements, saying staff reviewed ALICE protocols during workshop days and the district will carry out building‑level ALICE drills in October with prior, age‑appropriate family communication.

Safety coordinator (Mr.) Neer described summer preparations: staff reviewed emergency procedures, crossing‑guard training occurred with the Auburn Police Department, public works added slowdown signage and is coordinating additional signage at Fairview, and public works provided temporary “dummy” signs and cones to help crossing guides manage arrival and dismissal. Neer said staff have begun targeted drop‑off reviews at individual schools.

Neer said a lighted crosswalk connecting the Edward Little entrance across Western Avenue is installed and awaiting final paving by the contractor. He also said the district is reactivating the Auburn School Department Emergency Response Team (ASDERT) to centralize ALICE training, building safety reviews and a simplified reunification plan so staff can rehearse debriefs and sho rt‑term repairs across buildings.

Committee members welcomed advance notice to families about drills to reduce student anxiety and thanked public works for signage. Neer said drills will practice response skills rather than rehearse a single scenario and that procedures are being designed to reduce stress while reinforcing skills.

Ending: The district will schedule ASDERT meetings beginning in September, run ALICE drills in October, and continue coordinating with public works and police on crossing and reunification plans.","District safety staff told the School Committee that summer work prepared buildings for the year, ALICE protocol review and staged drills will be communicated to families, and crossing improvements and a soon‑to‑be‑connected lighted crosswalk were completed on Western Avenue.",{"_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},6477159,"Officials warn MaineCare cuts would force districts to absorb special‑education costs",323,2741000,3064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878&start=2741&end=3064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878/thumbnail_2741000.jpg","/articles/6477159/Maine/Officials-warn-MaineCare-cuts-would-force-districts-to-absorb-specialeducation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477159-c661a34c99bea281c85f0e280a5f91c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576176&Signature=PYb2Q2l9bsRFT~oN4Kkl7ew15uPw-9-gMVq1zFN1P3tvN~vJcXHGULAZQ0sm44-TvFZgUtdoQiN8GfLeifa5~9UNmzAq~uX2zMQhXMbmczmLwGCOnp9bJTyg4XFCQ1ijjrFYFt2HjoTACRV7O6-7mX329mX0UqaTDKwEVqG82MQH8gLV4aSgIpPFGxqzXCyjyjX4oz5DGhY9kCmycye6ro0ihQ~bb8iuZ3VRKZwWgQ7qPOi-9cGZSgfjWDTOe3W5mNAY7jrBPmItQvF32BFs-a6I7jLZ00lihHQYfPXIawWZnVNr1WFkKEgRfAWsfADqUqHDJU-nDCcSio4-Q0sKEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laura Shaw and district staff told the Auburn School Committee Wednesday that proposed or actual MaineCare funding reductions already have reduced local clinical services and threaten programs families and schools rely on for in‑home behavioral supports, therapy and specialized placements.

Shaw described MaineCare as Maine’s Medicaid program, funding services including dental, medical, mental‑health and school‑related health services for eligible children. She said cuts have led some local providers to scale back or close services: Community Clinical Services eliminated pediatric dental and outpatient counseling during a lapse in MaineCare funding, Andwell Health Partners scaled back in‑home pediatric services and closed an early learning site, and the Spurwink organization closed three residential programs, Shaw said.

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Shaw said, schools are legally required to provide services listed in a student’s individualized education program (IEP). Currently many of those services are reimbursed — Shaw estimated MaineCare reimburses at least about 65% for certain services — and she warned that a loss of MaineCare revenue would force districts to cover the full cost of those services and could make it harder to provide early interventions that reduce later special‑education needs.

School Committee members reacted strongly. Corin McWiggin and other committee members urged constituents to contact federal and state legislators, including U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and U.S. Sen. Angus King and Rep. Jared Golden, to press for funding. The superintendent and board members said they are monitoring legislative and provider responses and noted there is ongoing lobbying and outreach by special‑purpose private school directors and Head Start advocates.

Shaw said MaineCare cuts could also affect special‑purpose private schools that serve highly specialized needs and warned that fewer treatment beds lead to more children being detained in hospitals or state facilities because there is no appropriate placement. She recommended continued advocacy and noted that the district will track impacts and incorporate the potential revenue loss into budget monitoring.

Ending: Committee members urged phone calls and messages to legislators and asked staff to continue reporting impacts to the district’s budget and student services.","Auburn administrators told the School Committee that reductions in MaineCare funding threaten in‑home and community services for students, could close specialized programs and would shift substantial costs onto school budgets under IDEA obligations.",{"_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},6477164,"Auburn schools report smooth start to 2025–26; most positions filled, new pre-K pilot and programs launch",2587,104000,2691000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878&start=104&end=2691","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713139-b9956e516175297dc35b662048b18878/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6477164/Maine/Auburn-schools-report-smooth-start-to-202526-most-positions-filled-new-pre-K-pilot-and-programs-launch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477164-2bbf58b952d72a94e84c7f04b6108648/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576177&Signature=FS6ORawKKwE7vpakt-YroY7vyTz7puktol8w7Hgrh0xbNSqDNpz1KcAuMxevWJ-VAGkOhus7YInCb~KNZhuvRsVqsYOgFcnUV169eCDxYExFM53z2vakFwyPK5frIv6pbewg95bcwYIy5ncg5-hBRjipT7TsppChXOTZNUB4XEwvkC7533GG11wxvtUxumbWDffXL5CKqNiSRSShqEtZtG0pJMiHvo3fCOHFBkNdLWN6lXkCL7VRYAJEGRq6ukN8WFbXrBXRWvOUVTm-r4OhqvdpaGRJm8slfBoOyf14R5XHmoF0NoY0GXYboZ2fTxypHN3tPnT4Jg-c42yOnumb2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn School Committee heard Wednesday that the 2025–26 school year opened smoothly across the district, with principals citing high attendance at open houses, positive student energy and a largely filled staffing roster.

Superintendent Sue Doris said the district had filled 55 positions since hiring began and listed 24 remaining vacancies including bus drivers, bus aides, ed techs, special-education teachers and one MLL (multi-language learner) teacher at Sherwood Heights; she said long-term substitutes or temporary reassignments are covering classroom needs pending hires.

Principals reported building-by-building details. Park Avenue Principal (Mrs.) Maris told the committee Park Avenue had 396 students — about 18 more than last year — and that district funding allowed a one‑year classroom reduction hire that cut a second‑grade class from 26 to 18 students. Sherwood Heights Principal (Mr.) Davis said Sherwood had 300 students and capped kindergarten classes at 20; he also described a new Little Explorers program for 3‑ to 5‑year‑olds established with Child Development Services (CDS).

Walton Principal (Mrs.) Heimral reported Walton enrollment about 134, with kindergarten at 20 and two newly hired tutors supporting younger students. Arvin Middle School Principal (Mr.) Wilson described a large band enrollment (about 89 students) and expanded math offerings; Franklin reported a surge of 17 new enrollments and an early waitlist for its middle-school program. Edward Little High School Principal (Mrs.) Ackley said EL has 1,056 students, up from 1,004 at this point last year, and 233 fall athletes signed up.

Administrators highlighted other operational changes. Park Avenue and other schools are using a new district communications platform called Reach My Teach to support multilingual family messages. Edward Little implemented a districtwide push toward “cell phone–free” classrooms during instructional time, with classroom procedures varying by grade and teacher; that change was described in detail at Edward Little and endorsed by the student representative, Calvin Vincent, who said compliance has been smooth so far.

Principals also reported facilities and staffing improvements: expanded playground equipment at Walton; full staffing of literacy and ed‑tech positions at Arvin; and, at Sherwood, the Little Explorers pre‑K pilot staffed in partnership with Laura Shaw and CDS. Several principals thanked custodial and public‑works crews for building preparations and noted high open‑house turnout across buildings.

The superintendent said the district will provide another staffing update on Oct. 1 and emphasized that, except for the Sherwood MLL vacancy, teaching positions are covered by subs or internal coverage while recruitment continues.

Ending: Committee members praised administrators for the start of the year and asked for an enrollment update after the October 1 reporting date. Several members also asked staff to continue monitoring the remaining vacancies and to report back on the MLL recruitment status.","Superintendent and principals told the School Committee the 2025–26 year opened smoothly across Auburn Public Schools, with most classroom positions covered, modest enrollment shifts at some schools, a new 3–5 pre‑K pilot at Sherwood Heights and expanded extracurricular offerings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Auburn School Committee approves handbooks, meeting and evaluation policies

Auburn outlines ALICE training, crosswalk upgrades and reunification planning ahead of drills

Officials warn MaineCare cuts would force districts to absorb special‑education costs

Auburn schools report smooth start to 2025–26; most positions filled, new pre-K pilot and programs launch