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Auburn schools report strong start to 2025–26 amid staffing gains
Summary
Superintendent and school principals told the School Committee the 2025–26 year began smoothly across Auburn Public Schools, with 55 hires so far and most classrooms covered; principals highlighted enrollment shifts, classroom-size relief, new programs and a districtwide cell-phone policy at the high school.
Superintendent Sue Doris and building principals told the Auburn School Committee on Sept. 3 that the 2025–26 school year opened smoothly across the district, with many schools reporting higher attendance at open houses, new hires and early operational fixes that eased transitions.
"We've filled 55 positions across the district including teachers, ed techs, tutors, substitutes, and support staff," Superintendent Sue Doris said, adding the district still lists 24 vacancies including bus aides, drivers and one MLL teacher at Sherwood Heights. She said long-term substitutes or internal staff are covering nearly all classroom needs while hiring continues.
Principals detailed building-level outcomes. At Park Avenue, Principal Mrs. Maris said enrollment reached about 396 students, roughly 18 more than last year, and district funding supported a second classroom position that reduced second-grade class size from 26 to 18. "We were able to hire a second grade teacher into a 1 year position, which significantly helped with our class sizes there," Maris said.
Sherwood Heights Principal Mr. Davis said his school enrolled about 300 and launched a pilot preschool program, "Little Explorers," for 3- to 5-year-olds in collaboration with Child Development Services. Walton Principal Mrs. Heimel described summer reconfigurations and new playground equipment that increased available swings from three to seven.
At Edward Little High School, Principal Ms. Ackley reported 1,056 students (up from 1,004) and described an "EL block"—an extended-learning period for enrichment, intervention and cross-class activities. She also noted a shift toward cell-phone-free classrooms during instructional time, a policy the district is rolling out with grade-appropriate variations.
Student representative Calvin Vincent told the committee that the phone policy had been implemented smoothly in his classes during the first days of school. "A lot of kids…today, I don't think…everyone just turned them in, and it was, like, pretty smooth," he said.
The superintendent said the district will provide an enrollment update on Oct. 1 and will continue monitoring staffing and service gaps. The committee commended staff and maintenance crews for rapid summer work to have buildings ready for students.
What’s next: the district will track the remaining vacancies, return to the committee with an October staffing update and continue seeking grant funding to support programs noted by principals.
