AUBURN — The High School Steering Committee, which formed this summer to try to figure out how to get a better Edward Little High School, will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Auburn Hall.

Better public notice about the new group’s meeting is being given after last month, when several School Committee members complained there had been little information about the group. Mayor Jonathan LaBonte said the complaints stemmed from poor communication, and committee Chairman Tom Kendall called the complaints mere bumps in the road.

The new committee includes bankers, engineers, parents, business owners, a lawyer and others selected for their expertise and their ties to Auburn schools.

In a recent letter to members, Kendall said the question of how to get a better high school had been wrestled with for more than three years, and “ground has been plowed that should not need to be revisited.”

Kendall planned to give committee members lots of homework to get everyone on the same page.

“Please realize that the information dump is front-loaded and will ease off within a month,” he said. It included a self-assessment done by EL staff 10 years ago, the high school’s process for renewing its accreditation, the fact that the school is on probation for accreditation because of the poor facility, and recommendations from architect Jeff Larimer of Harriman architects and engineers of Auburn.

Kendall said he intended to set up a public Web page where questions can be posted and answered.

The school’s shortcomings, which have put its accreditation at risk, include inadequate electrical and heating systems, not enough room for classrooms and no auditorium. Its kitchen and cafeteria are in a basement originally built for storage and lack proper ventilation. The school needs more science labs and is poorly insulated, which means it’s often too hot or too cold.

Edward Little has not placed high enough on the state’s school construction list to receive funding, which could mean local taxpayers would be asked to pay for it. Previous studies have said a new school could cost $61 million.

Thursday’s meeting will be filmed by Great Falls Community Television and is open to the public.

— Bonnie Washuk