Auburn moves forward with advisory process, Harriman engagement and finance discussions for middle school reconfiguration

Auburn School Committee members and subcommittee chairs on June 18 outlined next steps for a potential sixth-grade reconfiguration at Auburn Middle School and discussed related budget and facilities planning.

The facilities subcommittee reported that Harriman provided a sequence of events and a timeline for advisory committee work that will begin next month and carry through the following June. Committee members said the advisory committee will vet options, consider facility implications and provide regular reports to the school committee and city council. Community forums for stakeholder feedback are scheduled for September and October, the committee said.

"There is a period dedicated to stakeholder feedback, including feedback from the public, from future parents of kids who might be affected by this," City Council representative Adam Platt said. Assistant Superintendent Scott Aineer and facilities members confirmed the advisory work will kick off next month and principals are working with staff to develop committee membership.

The finance committee updated the school committee on related fiscal discussions. Members reviewed a Harriman master agreement and service engagement contract that they described as an initial engagement rather than a final project contract. "There are certain costs that we will be bound to, and there are certain costs that have not yet occurred, and we haven't even agreed to pursue them," Platt said. The committee encouraged review of the agreement documents in the published agenda and minutes.

Finance members also discussed a possible secondary capital reserve account permitted under the district’s bylaws and city charter to set aside funds specifically for capital needs outside the general fund balance. Committee members noted state statute limits how much may be held in the general fund balance but did not provide a statutory amount at the meeting. The committee described the secondary account as a cash-flow management option to fund capital needs without immediately seeking bonding.

Facilities members said they are coordinating summer building work with public works staff, and they continue to schedule advisory committee meetings and public engagement opportunities. No formal vote on reconfiguration, bonding, or a capital reserve account occurred at the June 18 meeting; members described the current step as advisory and preparatory.