Auburn schools get state priority construction rankings; AMS advisory committee schedule set

Assistant Superintendent Scott Inier told the Auburn School Committee on July 16 that summer maintenance work is underway across Auburn Public Schools and that the state released a new school construction priority list placing several district schools high on the statewide list.

The most directly relevant rankings reported by Inier were East Auburn at 21, Walton at 31, Washburn at 57, Fairview at 74, Sherwood at 77, Auburn Middle School (AMS) at 79 and Park Avenue at 94 out of 96 evaluated schools. Inier said schools placed higher on the state list will begin working with the Maine Department of Education on plans and timelines.

Inier said Harriman (the district'retained architecture/engineering firm) has been engaged to lead the AMS advisory process. The advisory committee membership has been selected and its first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 5:00 p.m. in the AMS library. Inier said Harriman will work with Ben Wilson at AMS and with AMS staff in early fall; the schedule includes additional advisory meetings and two community meetings planned for September and October after the advisory committee convenes.

"Big news. Last Wednesday, the ninth, the state priority construction list was released," Inier said, summarizing the district'wide evaluation results and next steps.

The committee also heard that the district and public works conducted a bus-ride review of railroad crossings and sight lines. Inier said the review responds to changes in railroad regulations that allow for faster train speeds and requires the district to check visibility and timing for buses approaching crossings.

The presentation included a description of a planned on-site greenhouse at Edward Little High School coordinated by the district's food service staff. Inier said the greenhouse planning will involve food service staff (named in the meeting as Chris Piercy and Lily) and high school teachers to integrate curriculum and operations.

Inier closed by noting the city has started crosswalk striping early this summer and that the city prioritized school-area crosswalks to ensure they are done before school opens.

The committee asked follow-up questions about the state list and how many projects typically receive funding; Inier said the published list did not specify how many projects the state will fund and that the district is waiting for further guidance and workshops from the Department of Education. Committee members also asked about the crosswalk striping schedule and about opportunities for community involvement in the greenhouse project.

A timeline Inier read into the record lists multiple advisory and update dates for AMS and facilities subcommittee briefings through February of the following year.