Auburn school budget passed

AUBURN — The School Committee passed the $35.9 million budget Wednesday night by a vote of 5-0.

Superintendent Katy Grondin’s spending plan is 3.45 percent higher than the current budget. The local share is 5.8 percent more. For a home valued at $150,000, it would mean about $79 more in property taxes.

“I believe this budget fairly balances the educational needs of the children of Auburn with the current economic challenges we all face,” committee Chairman Tom Kendall said. “It has been at least five budget cycles that have required a reduction of services to the next generation. My hope is passing this budget signals a turning point in our community’s investment in our children.”

Grondin has said Auburn spends less than what the state recommends for basic programs. In 2011, Auburn spent $8,050 per pupil, compared to the state average of $9,623.

The budget will go to the City Council and then to taxpayers May 8.

The budget includes $109,000 for iPad tablet computers for kindergarten students next fall. That means they and first-graders would have iPads next year.

At a public hearing for the budget April 4, several parents spoke in favor of it, one taxpayer spoke against it.

Matthew Kovacevich, the parent of two Park Avenue Elementary School students, urged the School Committee to support the budget. One of his students is in kindergarten and uses an iPad. “I’m blown away at how well my kindergartner has accelerated from being an OK student to being an excited learner,” he said.

East Auburn Community School parent Sarah Duchette said she supports the higher school budget, saying she’d be willing “to write a check right now” to pay the higher taxes.

Former city councilor and property taxpayer advocate Ron Potvin said he would not support the budget and plans to work to defeat any increase of local property taxes over 3 percent. The 5 percent increase asked of local taxpayers is too much, he said.

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