The Auburn School Committee heard that a sinkhole and broken underground pipe at Swanson Road have damaged the central parking area and will require a multiweek repair that will close the lot and displace several staff parking spaces.

The item was raised during the superintendent’s report, when Superintendent Dr. Chamberlain said the district had received bids for the work and “it is gonna be probably a 3 week process project once they get going, and that whole parking lot will have to be closed off.” The committee discussed temporary parking plans and noted the project will require heavy equipment and coordination with the town.

Why it matters: the disrupted lot sits closest to the road and contains staff and several handicap spots; committee members said the closure will be an inconvenience for staff and will require traffic detail while the work is underway.

Details and timeline
- Committee members said the damaged area grew after an initial spring patch; engineers performed test digs and added fill during assessment work. Committee members estimated the damage affects “10 or 12” parking spaces in the lot’s central area; the superintendent said engineers did not see signs of imminent collapse but recommended not leaving the site through winter. Dr. Chamberlain said officials briefed the town and planned temporary use of other lots, including Bryn Mawr parking and field-side grass, to accommodate staff while repairs proceed.
- The superintendent and administrators reported bids were required due to the project scope and the district is coordinating financing through the town’s capital improvement plan (CIP).

School finance actions connected to facilities work
- Business Manager Mrs. Stanek presented proposed school department warrant articles for the fall special town meeting (scheduled for Oct. 28, 2025) and said the administration will request repurposing of previously authorized capital funds: “we are looking to repurpose a 150,000 from Swanson Road building rehab for air quality improvements,” and “to repurpose $25,000 for Auburn High School because we have had some roof and drainage issues at the front portico.”
- The committee voted to approve the school department warrant articles for the fall special town meeting (voice vote; ayes recorded).
- At the same meeting the committee also approved the FY26 list of revolving, gift and student activity accounts, a routine annual action the business manager said had been updated on Aug. 20.

What the committee directed and next steps
- Administrators will coordinate logistic plans for the closure and temporary parking, including accommodation for handicap spaces and use of Bryn Mawr parking. Committee members asked that the district plan for police detail and communicate drop‑off/pick‑up adjustments to families.
- The business manager will finalize the warrant article language and submit it to the town by the district’s September 12 deadline.

Background: The Swanson Road lot repair was raised as part of the superintendent’s opening report on school‑year openings and facilities. The business manager said some previously authorized capital funds can be repurposed to address urgent building or site needs rather than waiting for the next fiscal cycle.