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