Auburn superintendent outlines FY27 draft budget at $34.08 million, flags special-education pressures

Superintendent presented the district’s FY27 draft budget, which currently stands at $34,084,765 — a 4.28% increase over the FY26 approved budget.

The draft, the presenter said, is designed to maintain class sizes and preserve anti-bullying, social‑emotional and safety programming while holding supplies and materials at current funding levels. The superintendent added that professional-development funding would be decreased in the draft. “At this time, the FY27 budget stands at $34,084,765, which would be a 4.28% increase over the FY26 approved budget,” the superintendent said.

The presentation noted a projected 7% rise in transportation costs tied to the district’s current contract and that no new positions are being requested for FY27. Several retirements at the high school, middle school and Swanson Road school were discussed; the district plans targeted replacements and possible reassignments to balance staffing with enrollment.

Special-education costs were a recurring theme: the superintendent said there has been an over-9% year-over-year increase in the district’s special-education population (approximately 400 students), with a corresponding rise in students with significant support needs. The business director later said the year‑to‑date available budget is about $280,000 lower than at the same point last year, largely because of special-education costs.

The superintendent framed next steps: a full budget kickoff at the next meeting, further leadership-team presentations, time for committee recommendations and a required vote by Jan. 7 to send a draft budget to the town.

Next step: the committee will receive detailed budget presentations and is scheduled to vote on the draft to forward to the town by Jan. 7.