Auburn schools face rising costs; foundation and bonds help but district urges more community support

Dr. Alan Spicciotti told the "That So Auburn" podcast that Auburn School District is experiencing rising operating costs while revenues have not kept pace, and he asked residents to recognize the value of investments in schools.

"The cost of doing business has skyrocketed," Spicciotti said. He noted the district is "in a little better shape than most" but emphasized the need to publicize district successes so voters and donors understand how local support sustains programming, technology and safe facilities.

Spicciotti thanked the community for approving bond measures that funded new school construction and cited the district’s technology levy as "transformational." He also described the Auburn Public Schools Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that provides grants for special projects and supports needs such as transportation for student trips; the foundation has raised funds for Mount Rainier Institute trips and other teacher-led experiences the district’s operating budget does not cover.

The superintendent listed local business sponsors and donors — including family businesses at Lakeland Town Center — and encouraged more residents and businesses to join the foundation or serve as volunteers. He said the foundation is still "pretty young" and aims to expand its board and fundraising base.

Spicciotti gave a rough district staffing figure of about 2,500 people in positions such as teachers, principals, paraeducators, bus drivers, custodians and food-service workers. He described the district’s capital investments as a "100-year standard" intended to serve generations of students and noted that voters' past support enabled modern, safer facilities.

He asked community members to take pride in those investments and to help tell the positive stories coming out of district classrooms.