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District updates: Gateway Academy move proposal, MSBA facilities survey, youth health survey and impact of new bank on high-school parking
Summary
Superintendent briefed the committee on a private-school proposal to move into a local church, a statewide MSBA facilities workbook submission, a randomly selected student health survey and new commercial development that will remove public parking near the high school.
Superintendent Dr. Chamberlain updated the school committee on several operational items that could affect facilities, compliance and school operations.
Private school proposal: Dr. Chamberlain said Gateway Academy of Shrewsbury, a K–12 private academy, has contacted the district about relocating to Bethel Lutheran Church in Auburn. The superintendent provided committee members with the district's nonpublic-school approval criteria and DESE frequently asked questions. Dr. Chamberlain said Gateway Academy currently enrolls about 78 students and that the committee will require a formal presentation and facility details before any approval vote.
MSBA facilities workbook: The district is completing a comprehensive workbook for the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), collecting detailed building information—HVAC, plumbing, square footage and other infrastructure data—to support statewide facility funding estimates. Central-office staff and custodians have gathered data; the superintendent said the MSBA call is scheduled for next week.
Youth survey participation: Auburn High School and Auburn Middle School were randomly selected to participate in a statewide youth health survey. The district must provide class lists for the chosen administration window and send parent permission forms. Dr. Chamberlain said the district receives statewide aggregate results but not school-level results by default; he offered to bring the survey questions forward to the committee for review if members wish.
High-school parking and development: The superintendent warned members that new construction on the former Bed Bath & Beyond site—a bank and likely a Planet Fitness—has erected chain-link fencing that will remove a previously used public parking area that families used for student pickup. School Resource Officer John O'Brien has told families the space is not available for pickup; the district will explore alternative parking and transportation arrangements for events including graduation.
Committee members asked for future presentations from Gateway Academy and said they appreciated the MSBA and survey updates. The superintendent said more information will be presented in future meetings as details are finalized.
