Auburn’s K-6 schools still have early release Wednesdays, but not because of consensus decision-making by its school committee. In rejecting a compromise to take six early-release days from the school calendar, the committee neither endorsed nor improved upon the controversial policy.

Three members supported the compromise. Two did not. Two felt the policy should be scrapped. One abstained. They maintained the status quo (the final vote was 4-3, without anyone proffering an amendment) because the policy’s merits remain murky, not because its review clearly stated whether early-release is good for Auburn.

A survey that preceded Wednesday’s vote found the policy is popular with teachers, largely unpopular with parents. This shed little additional light on its credits or debits against the availability of a quality education in Auburn. For example, new state data reveal Auburn’s K-6 schools are meeting federal No Child Left Behind standards.

Could this mean early-release is beneficial or unharmful? Or that ending it could mean better results? The absence of hard investigation into the policy leaves many unanswered questions, and, therefore, opinions split.

Opinions on early-release have been mixed for years. Instead of more cursory looks, a fuller examination into the policy remains warranted. Auburn’s recent, divided effort hasn’t settled the issue.

It gives reason to still explore it further.