Auburn School Committee approves consent agenda and four policies; subcommittees report on CDS transition and ed-tech stipends

The Auburn School Committee voted to approve the consent agenda and four policies at its meeting on May 21, 2025. Committee members also received summaries from subcommittees about a state-mandated transition of child development services (CDS) students and a facilities planning effort for sixth-grade inclusion to Auburn Middle School.

The committee approved the consent agenda, which the chair said included approval of the meeting agenda, the minutes of the May 7, 2025 meeting and the certified contract listed on the agenda for "Jolene Libby grama 3 at Sherwood Heights." The motion carried after a second from Corin McWiggin.

On policy actions, the committee approved four items on second reading:

- Policy AUBGBJ (personnel records and files): approved on second reading.

- Policy AUBEBCE (school closings and cancellations): approved on second reading. The motion was made and recorded in the minutes as "Papp, second Corin." (Transcript spelling shown as in the meeting record.)

- Policy AUB GCF (professional staff hiring): approved on second reading. During final review a committee member noted a missing word in the second paragraph; the committee discussed the wording and then voted to approve.

- Policy AUBDJ (Joint City of Auburn and Auburn School Department Procurement): approved on second reading. The motion and second were recorded in the meeting as "Quinn, Pat, second." The chair declared the motion carried.

Committee reports and subcommittee actions

Finance subcommittee: The chair summarized finance subcommittee minutes, saying the subcommittee approved adding child development services (CDS) funded positions for the Auburn school department so the district can take on children ages 3 to 5 who need special services. The chair said Lauren Shaw, the director referenced in the minutes, explained the transition; the chair noted the positions are funded through CDS and that the subcommittee concluded the change would not have a fiscal impact on the local school budget. The finance subcommittee also approved a compensation structure for ed techs who are asked to substitute as teachers: $25 per half day and $50 per full day. The chair said those amounts are in addition to regular pay.

Curriculum subcommittee: Committee member Corin McWiggin summarized a lengthy curriculum meeting about a state law requiring the transition of CDS students ages 3 to 5 into local school systems by July 1, 2028. Director Lauren Shaw recommended the district begin the transition early; Corin McWiggin described the meeting as in-depth and supportive of preparing ahead of the state deadline.

Facilities subcommittee: The facilities report said the advisory committee criteria for moving sixth grade into Auburn Middle School are under review. Committee members said they will meet with the firm Harriman to begin planning membership and outreach for that advisory effort.

Questions and clarifications

During discussion, a committee member asked whether the ed tech stipend is paid on top of regular pay; the chair confirmed it is additional pay. On AUB GCF (professional hiring), a member pointed out a missing word in the draft policy language; the committee noted the wording and approved the policy after that clarification.

No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript; each motion was announced as "Motion carries" or the chair declared the motion carried. No items were tabled or postponed.

Adjournment

The committee adjourned at 6:30 p.m.