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Auburn School Committee approves updated stipend schedule; advances temperature and bell-to-bell cell-phone policies
Summary
The committee approved a new stipend schedule that increases athletic stipends by about $42,400 and co-curricular stipends by about $40,000 (costs were included in the budget) and advanced first readings of a temperature standard policy (65°F–82°F) and a bell-to-bell cell-phone policy with a registered BYOD option.
At its June 3 meeting the Auburn School Committee approved an updated stipend schedule with the Auburn Education Association and took first readings of two policies: temperature standards for school buildings and student use of personal electronic devices.
Stipend schedule: Committee members heard that a stipend committee reviewed regional comparators and moved toward a percentage-of-base-salary approach to restore competitiveness. Presenters said athletic stipends will increase by approximately $42,400 and co-curricular stipends by about $40,000; those costs were anticipated and incorporated in the current budget, and the committee approved the agreement. The committee recorded the approval by voice vote (the transcript records the outcome as "Motion carries" but does not provide a roll-call tally).
Temperature policy (AUB EBBD): For a first reading the committee approved a revised policy specifying a 65°F minimum and 82°F maximum for building temperatures and removed a previously proposed 5°F buffer. The policy adds ordered steps for staff to follow when temperatures fall outside the stated comfort zone; the vote on the first reading passed.
Cell-phone policy (AUB JICJ): The committee advanced a first reading of a state-law–driven bell-to-bell cell-phone policy. Committee members and staff discussed implementation details after recent guidance clarified that districts may allow registered bring-your-own-device (BYOD) use for specific learning outcomes, subject to registration, network configuration and firewall protections. Technology staff described a registration process and emphasized that school-issued iPads remain available for required school tasks. As Mr. Robinson explained during the discussion, "We provide iPads," noting that school devices support required coursework while registration can accommodate some students’ need for alternate devices.
Other business: City Council representative Adam Platt also alerted the committee to a draft city ordinance that would require a 250-foot setback for syringe service providers from schools; he linked the draft for committee review. A committee member raised reports from a recent comprehensive plan meeting about possible rezoning and school-closure discussion; the committee said no determinations have been made and will follow up to identify the source of that discussion.
Next steps: The stipend agreement was approved and implementation will proceed according to the agreement; the temperature and cell-phone policies passed first readings and may return for subsequent readings or final adoption at future meetings.
