The Auburn School Committee on Oct. 15 voted to use $181,520 from the district's excess fund balance to pay for immediate capital needs, including an initial contract to study moving sixth grade to the middle school and replacement parts for rooftop ventilation units at Fairview Elementary.

Amanda Kudger, Auburn Public Schools business manager, told the committee the Harriman Associates contract to begin studying the possibility of relocating sixth grade to the middle school is "contracted at about a $128,000." She said the Fairview work is the other primary expense: "there are 11 ventilator units on the roof, and they're about $4,200 per item per unit that needed a replacement part."

Pat Gaudier moved the measure; the record does not show a named second. Chairperson Pam Albert called for a vote and said, "All those in favor? Motion carries." The meeting transcript records the outcome as approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.

Committee members discussed that the funds come from the district's unallocated excess fund balance. A linked finance-subcommittee memo reviewed earlier in October noted the district is working to bring its fund balance to within 9 percent, which, the memo said, is the legal target the district must meet. Amanda Kudger said the requested transfers are for unbudgeted, immediate facilities maintenance and capital projects and that annual bond authority had already been allocated.

The approved funding covers the initial feasibility and design contract for the potential sixth-grade move and parts and labor to address the Fairview HVAC units that required immediate replacement parts. The committee did not vote on any further capital projects at this meeting.

Next steps: staff will obligate the specified funds for the Harriman Associates contract and for the Fairview ventilation repairs, and will report back to the committee through regular financial reports and subcommittee updates.