AUBURN — Auburn School Department has updated its construction application in an attempt to improve its chance of getting state money to build a $60 million Edward Little High School.

The deadline for school departments to provide more information to the Maine Department of Education was Dec. 31. Superintendent Tom Morrill said several reports were added to the application before that deadline.

One was informing the state about the Auburn City Council’s November decision to move all tenants from the Great Falls Arts Center in May 2011 and knock it down in June. That building is used by the Community Little Theatre and Edward Little’s drama program. The city is now talking with the theater group about leasing part of the building. If the entire building is razed, that leaves the high school drama program with no home.

Other information added to Auburn’s construction application include recent analysis of the heating and ventilation in the building. “It’s insufficient and inadequate,” Morrill said. “The boilers have lived their life.”

Other reports included reviews of water supply to the building and how original spaces in the 1961 school have been changed, shrinking corridors and aisles.

Surveys from students, faculty and the chamber of commerce on what’s needed in a high school were also submitted, Morrill said.

The extra reports are “to make the best attempt we can to make sure the review by the state is accurate,” and to show the need for a new school, Morrill said.

The Maine Department of Education is expected to announce which schools get construction money in June, but preliminary ratings could be out in March, Morrill said. Those ratings will determine which school departments get state money to build.

In 2005, Auburn’s request for a new high school was rated 44th, too low to qualify for money.

“Our hopes are to be rated in the top 10 to put us in line” to get major construction money, Morrill said.

– Bonnie Washuk