Auburn School Committee approves $64.5 million FY 2026 operating budget, uses $2.025 million in fund balance

The Auburn School Committee on April 30 approved the FY 2026 School Department operating budget of $64,493,892, a 3.8% increase from the prior year, and authorized using $2,025,000 from the district fund balance to reduce the local tax impact.

Superintendent Sue Doris presented a final proposed budget and a summary of adjustments before the committee voted. Doris said health insurance premiums came in lower than expected, producing a savings of $168,531, and the Lewiston Regional Technical Center cost‑sharing amount came in $56,469 under the original allocation. She also said a half‑time athletic administrative assistant was reclassified from cost center 5 to cost center 4 to correct coding; the change did not affect the overall budget. "This adjustment does not impact our staffing levels or our programming. And all of our essential services and programs remain fully supported," Doris said.

Doris told the committee the district will fund a requested math instructional coach using grant dollars. "For now, this is a one‑year position funded through the Title grants, and we will have to reevaluate that when budget season comes next year," she said in response to a question from City Council representative Adam Platt. The committee did not adopt a multiyear funding commitment for the position at the meeting.

The budget document submitted to the committee shows the local share of the operating budget is $20,988,251, a 1.1% increase from last year. During discussion, members debated the longer‑term implications of increased fund balance use. Ward 1 School Committee member Corin McWiggin said using more from the fund balance may require changes in future years: "I do worry about the continuity ... I feel like we're just kind of kicking that can down the road." Superintendent Doris said she could not give an exact remaining fund balance figure on the spot but that the $2,025,000 use "does bring us under $5,000,000 right now," and noted the district typically adds to the fund balance each year from unspent appropriations.

Committee members praised the budget for avoiding service or staff reductions. Jay Rich, at‑large member, called it fiscally conservative while pursuing educational goals. The motion to approve the FY 2026 Auburn School Department operating budget in the amount of $64,493,892 was moved by Pat Godier (Ward 3) and seconded by Corin McWiggin (Ward 1). The committee approved the budget by voice vote; a roll‑call tally was not specified in the meeting record.

The committee adjourned after the vote. The budget will move forward under the terms approved April 30, with the one‑year grant‑funded math instructional coach to be revisited in the next budget cycle.