Auburn School Superintendent Katy Grondin goes over her proposed school budget Wednesday night with the School Committee. Her recommended budget, which will likely change, is up by 3 percent.

AUBURN — The Auburn School Department budget would go up by 3 percent next year, as proposed by Superintendent Katy Grondin.

Saying the numbers could change and are “in flux,” Grondin released her budget recommendation Wednesday night to the Auburn School Committee.

The budget would be $42.05 million, up $1.28 million from the current budget.

It’s too early to know what impact that spending would have on property tax bills, Grondin said, because the district’s revenue picture is not yet known.

Some of the reasons for the higher spending include $552,623 more to cover staff raises, a projected increase in retirement benefits and health care increases.

Another $316,620 is recommended for new spending in 5½ positions, 2½ are to cover existing positions that are now covered by grants, plus three new positions, including one elementary teacher to reduce class sizes.

Another budget increase that was not discussed Wednesday will be special education, which Grondin did not release Wednesday.

Auburn stands to lose $431,000 in state aid for education under Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget, which would not cover Central Office administrators.

Grondin said her preliminary budget is based on the governor’s budget. If state legislators add more money to K-12 education, Auburn’s numbers could improve. On Friday, there will be a hearing in Augusta on the governor’s budget on education.

Another expense that could change is health insurance, because the real costs won’t be known until May.

Grondin said she added a 10 percent cost increase for health care, hoping that much won’t be needed. If the cost is less, that will be adjusted in the budget, she said.

Grondin characterized the budget as “conservative, considering all that we’re doing.”

“I’ll be commending our staff, the amount of work we’re doing to provide high-quality education from the kitchen staff all the way up,” she said.

The budget maintains programs and student services.

“We’re adding a little,” Grondin said. “We know there’s a balance to the taxpayer and to our needs. We want to be in a spot where the community says, ‘OK. They asked for a reasonable budget,’” and support it.

The part of the budget covered Wednesday is called “Cost Center I,” which is regular classroom instruction.

Other parts will be covered in the coming weeks.

“Forty-three percent of the total increase is in Cost Center I,” Grondin said. “That’s where you want it, directly in the classrooms.”

Auburn voters will have the final say; a referendum on the budget is set for June 13. 

Auburn School Committee members Bonnie Hayes, center, Faith Fontaine, left, and City Councilor Brent Bilodeau listen to Superintendent Katy Grondin’s budget presentation Wednesday night.

What’s new in the budget

• Two and a half teaching positions which now exist but are covered by grants. The grant money has stayed stagnant and no longer covers the costs. The positions must be moved into the general budget, Superintendent Katy Grondin said. Two positions reduce class sizes; the part-time position helps students recover credit at Edward Little High School.

• Three positions that would be new employees. One would be an elementary teacher to reduce class sizes. The school won’t be determined until this fall’s enrollment numbers are available. If Grondin were to decide based on current numbers, Fairview Elementary, the second-largest school in the district, would get another teacher. Class sizes at Fairview range from 17 to 28, with an average of 21.

The second position is a special ed teacher at Park Avenue Elementary.

“Their caseloads are high,” Grondin said.

The third is an education technician III who would help an elementary behavioral specialist who works with students with challenging behaviors.

• A $5,000 contract to retain Scott Parker as consultant to the Auburn School Department Emergency Response Team. Business Manager Jude Cyr now coordinates that public safety planning but is retiring this year. Parker would help oversee things such as lockdown and other safety drills and procedures.

• Two stipends, $1,568 each, one for an elementary band coach or teacher at Sherwood Heights, the other to coordinate the school gardens during the summer.

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